REDS LAND BAYERN STAR THIAGO

expected on Merseyide today to put pen to paper on a four- year deal at Anfield where he will wear the No6 jersey.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with the Spain midfielder since it became clear he would not sign a new contract at the Allianz Arena.

Thiago agreed a deal with the European champions in May but then decided against signing it.

The former Barcelona ace is keen for a new challenge and wants to work with Kop boss Jurgen Klopp, right, who is a long- term admirer. The Reds initially insisted that a major arrival in midfield would only happen if a key player departed the position.

The belief was that they would wait until next summer, when Thiago would be a free agent, to make their move.

But their stance on that changed and talks between the two clubs began on Monday.

They were swiftly completed yesterday, with only final details of Thiago’s deal to be sorted out.

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson said: “He is a fantastic player and would add to the quality of the squad. If we get him great, if we don’t it is what it is – if it is confirmed I can sit down and talk about his qualities.” Bayern manager Hansi Flick said he was sorry to lose Thiago.

“My coaching team and I enjoyed working with him. It was very emotional as we said goodbye,” he said.

The midfielder is “an extraordinary player, and very important to us,” Flick added. The Bayern boss went on to explain why Klopp was so relentless in his pursuit of the player.

“Thiago gives a team a lot of options, because he solves things in ways you don’t expect,” Flick said. “He made us unpredictable, and we know we are losing yet another great player. Klopp is getting our great player.”

Liverpool, who have also signed left- back Kostas Tsimikas for £ 11.75m this summer, may not be finished in the transfer market yet.

They are interested in Watford attacker Ismaila Sarr but it is understood the Hornets would demand a £ 40m fee for the Senegal star.