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There’s a bittersweet quality to Liverpool’s midfield renaissance this season. When the Reds announced their midfield overhaul last summer, few could have predicted how quickly the new pieces would fit together.
The arrival of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch has transformed a position of concern into a source of strength, though the story of this revival carries a subtle note of what might have been, and thoughts occasionally drift to what could have happened had Thiago Alcantara’s body not betrayed him.
In a moment where footy predictions now have Arne Slot’s side as title favourites, Liverpool’s new-look midfield has redefined expectations at Anfield. Yet amid the excitement of this evolution, the premature end to Thiago’s career at just 33 serves as a poignant reminder of football’s cruel uncertainties.
The Spaniard’s hip problems, which ultimately forced his retirement, robbed Liverpool of their midfield artist just as Jurgen Klopp was assembling his newest masterpiece. His departure marked not just the end of a career, but the closing of a chapter in Liverpool’s tactical journey.
Now under Slot, favourites with football betting odds and just a handful of games from a 20th league title that would extend their superiority at the top of England’s elite sides, you wonder if last season’s capitulation at the final hurdle could have been avoided had their special Spaniard been available more regularly.
Last spring’s burnout wasn’t just about Thiago’s absence, but his lack of minutes epitomised Liverpool’s midfield transition. As the team laboured through matches without their conductor, the need for regeneration became clear. Yet even as the club planned their summer revolution after a frustrating 2022/23 season, there remained hope that a fit Thiago could play his part beyond the end of his contract.
His hip had other ideas. The recurring injury that limited him to just one appearance in 2024, ultimately proved decisive, forcing retirement upon a player whose mind remained sharp even as his body faltered.
The midfield that has emerged from last season’s ruins feels like both a departure and an evolution. Szoboszlai brings the technical security Thiago once provided, but with added dynamism. Mac Allister offers similar passing range, though deployed differently to how the Spaniard typically operated. Gravenberch provides that ability to receive in tight spaces that made Thiago so crucial to Liverpool’s build-up play.
Together, they’ve formed a unit that combines technical excellence with physical prowess. The press is more aggressive, the transitions more direct, but traces of Thiago’s influence linger in how they manipulate space and control tempo.
Imagining Thiago among this new breed proves a tantalising exercise. His ability to control matches from deep would have complemented Mac Allister’s more progressive positioning. His mastery of tight spaces could have created additional passing lanes for Szoboszlai’s forward runs. His experience might have accelerated Gravenberch’s adaptation to Premier League intensity.
More than that, his presence could have provided vital continuity during this period of transition. As the last remaining link to Liverpool’s previous midfield era, his guidance could have proved invaluable for the newcomers learning to navigate English football’s unique demands.
Yet while Thiago’s playing career ended prematurely, his influence persists in how Liverpool approach midfield play. The emphasis on technical security under pressure, the importance of spatial awareness, and the value of controlling tempo—these principles remain central to how Klopp’s new midfield operates.
In the Argentine’s careful scanning before receiving possession, you see echoes of Thiago’s perpetual awareness. When the Hungarian drops deep to dictate play, his body positioning recalls the Spaniard’s signature style. As the Dutchman wriggles free of pressure redolent of the subtle shift of weight, you’re reminded of the former number six and his balletic grace.
Liverpool’s midfield evolution represents more than just personnel changes—it’s a reimagining of how the team controls matches under Slot.
The new trio brings different qualities, more goals, greater athleticism, and increased pressing intensity. Yet they’re building on foundations Thiago helped establish, even if his time proved shorter than anyone wished.
Perhaps that’s Thiago’s true legacy at Liverpool – showing that technical excellence and tactical sophistication could thrive in the Premier League’s physical environment. The midfield that’s emerged in his absence stands as testament to that principle—a blend of artistry and athleticism that feels both fresh and familiar.
In the end, football’s story is one of constant renewal. While Thiago’s final chapter closed too soon, Liverpool’s midfield renaissance ensures his influence lives on, woven into the fabric of how the team approaches the beautiful game.
