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Thiago Alcantara has apparently experienced a new injury setback after returning from a hip condition.
The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona player was in a matchday squad for the first time since April, in last weekend’s 3-1 loss to Arsenal, after being sidelined by a chronic hip ailment for nearly ten months.
Thiago’s illness cut his 2022-23 season short, and due to a handful of issues, the 32-year-old was forced to wait even longer for his first appearance of the 2023-24 season after surviving Liverpool’s summer midfield shake-up.
Thiago was presumably listed on the bench for the trip to the Emirates. However, he was considered fit enough to make a five-minute cameo at the conclusion of the game, replacing Joe Gomez.
Thiago picked up a muscular ailment during his brief stint on the Emirates pitch, according to The Athletic, and reported the discomfort to medical officials following the play.
According to the article, Thiago has undergone additional testing on the issue, although it is unclear how long the Spain international’s new concern will keep him out of action.
Thiago has missed 107 appearances for club and country since moving from the Allianz Arena to Anfield in 2020 due to injury or illness, including 41 games while recovering from hip surgery.
Thiago’s Liverpool career has also been plagued by hamstring, thigh, knee, and calf ailments, and the 32-year-old has only appeared in 98 games for Jurgen Klopp’s side when fit, scoring three goals and assisting six times.
Thiago’s recruitment was received with skepticism owing to his ability to adapt to Klopp’s counter-pressing system, but the ex-Barcelona player has proven his usefulness to Liverpool when not in the treatment room, and he was key to their ultimately unsuccessful quadruple drive in 2021-22.
Thiago Alcantara suffers Another Injury
However, Thiago is now free to speak with international teams after entering the final six months of his Liverpool contract, and he is not expected to be extended due to his ongoing fitness issues.
Barcelona is known to be interested in welcoming Thiago back to Camp Nou, while Italian clubs are apparently considering a free agent transfer for the experienced midfielder.
Thiago’s new condition exacerbates Klopp’s midfield issues for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Burnley, as Dominik Szoboszlai’s hamstring injury that kept him out of the Gunners game will also keep him out of the Clarets match.
Stefan Bajcetic is also recovering from a calf injury, but on a lighter note, Wataru Endo has resumed training with the Reds following Japan’s elimination from the Asian Cup and should be in position to play this weekend.
Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal reduced their lead at the top of the Premier League table to two points, and they will be temporarily pushed down to second place if Manchester City, who have a game in hand, defeat Everton in Saturday’s lunchtime kickoff.
