Thiago: Euro run will help Reds salvage a ‘nightmare’ Prem season
LEIPZIG WIN CAN BE A TURNING POINT FOR US SAYS KOP STAR
THIAGO admits Liverpool never thought in their worst nightmares they would go from Premier League champions to eighth in the table.
But the Kop midfielder is hoping a good European run can salvage their season.
Jurgen Klopp (below, right) and his men have lost six of their last seven games in the League to leave them in danger of missing out on next season’s Champions League.
But they reached the last eight of Europe’s premier club competition on Wednesday after beating RB Leipzig 4-0 on aggregate
Thiago said: “It’s been a tough period for all of us because we didn’t expect in our worst nightmares we would be in this position in the Premier League, but we are trying to perform as best we can.
“After this performance, it is positive for all of us.”
Thiago has endured a mixed start to life at Anfield after his summer move from Bayern Munich.
The Spanish midfielder, 29, caught Covid-19 just after his debut in September then suffered a knee injury during his first start against Everton in October which sidelined him for almost three months.
He has yet to find his best form playing in a Liverpool side wrecked by injuries.
Thiago added: “I know that I’ve received some criticism about my performances, but I’m not happy with my performance since I came here.
“A new club, a strange situation (Covid), I had a bad injury, so to get into the rhythm was hard, but it’s not an excuse.”
Thiago has struggled with the deep-lying midfield role but with Fabinho returning to that position on Wednesday, the Spaniard really impressed against Leipzig.
He seemed to be given more freedom which allowed him to become a creative force.
“Fabinho is a great player,” said Thiago (below). “He gives us a lot of confidence in our backs and it’s awesome to play alongside him.
“It frees me up a bit. I can move some lines forward and with that I can be more confident.
“I enjoy playing a bit more advanced because you’re nearer the goal and can create chances and score. It’s a nice position.”
Fabinho enjoyed being back in midfield.
The Brazilian, whose natural position is a deep-lying No.6, has had to fill in defensively for the Reds since October thanks to their centre-back issues.
He said: “Yes, I missed it a little bit playing in the midfield position. In general our quality was very good against Leipzig, the communication from our two centre-halves, the pressing from the offensive players was working well. “Everyone was good, everyone enjoyed it, everyone pressed.”