Liverpool are reportedly close to signing Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago, as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2020-21 season.
The Reds have been tracking the experienced midfielder for a while now, and it seems that he will join the Premier League champions soon.
As per Mundo Deportivo (via Talksport), Liverpool will soon confirm the signing of the Spanish international for a fee of around £27 million.
Paris Saint-Germain were the other big European side who was interested in the midfielder, but the move to the French giants has reportedly fallen through.
Thiago has been with Bayern Munich since 2013, having joined from Barcelona for a fee of around €25 million. He is in the final year of his contract at Bayern Munich. How will Liverpool line up after the signing of Thiago? Let’s take a look.
How Liverpool could line up with Thiago Alcantara
Goalkeeper
Liverpool’s No. 1 Alisson Becker has added the reliability that the Reds so badly craved, and he should be the first choice next season as well.
Defence
There may not be too many changes to the defence as well. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, who have been exceptional going forward, will be Liverpool’s key attacking threats from right-back and left-back, respectively.
The defence will be led by Virgil van Dijk, while Joe Gomez will most likely start alongside the Dutch centre-back, but Joel Matip will push the latter.
The Merseyside club will need to sign a back-up for Robertson, as well as another centre-back following the departure of Dejan Lovren.
Midfield
Fabinho will hold on to the defensive midfield position, while captain Jordan Henderson will start ahead of him in central midfield.
The Reds have quite a few options in central midfield, with the likes of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the experienced James Milner, as well as Klopp’s first-choice midfielder, Georginio Wijnaldum.
The addition of Thiago would mean that Wijnaldum may drop out from the starting XI, with the Spanish international playing in midfield.
Thiago has played as a deeper midfielder for Bayern, and is great at controlling the tempo of the game and making tackles during the transition. His ability to pick a pass will benefit the Reds, who could face a lot of teams employing a low-block against them.
Wijnaldum arguably has a greater engine, but Thiago could help the Reds recycle more efficiently.
Attack
The front three for Liverpool should remain unchanged, if all three players remain at the club at the start of the 2020-21 season. Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah should play off the flanks, while Roberto Firmino will lead the line through the middle.
How Liverpool could line up with Thiago
