“One of the most overrated players in European football.”
Didi Hamann has labelled Thiago Alcantara as “one of the most overrated players in European football” following Liverpool’s loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Thiago didn’t appear to be at full fitness for the match in Paris but has been a key player for the Reds throughout the season. The Spain international is the most creative midfielder in Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
Hamann, however, believes that Thiago is overrated and Liverpool’s midfield needs a revamp.
Hamann: Thiago is ‘overrated’.
“In my opinion, the Reds need to modernise the team a bit, especially in midfield,” Hamann told Sky Sports Germany.
“I don’t understand the hype about Thiago. For me, he is one of the most overrated players in European football.
“When things are going well and you have a lot of possession he’s a good player, but when push comes to shove you don’t see him.
“If you need someone who sets accents, then he doesn’t do it.
“(Naby) Keita is also a disappointment. (Jordan) Henderson is a worker. They need a player who can make the difference and give the team that extra something.”
Klopp defends Thiago.
Thiago made a slow start to life at Liverpool after joining the club from Bayern Munich in 2020. The former Barcelona midfielder, 31, burst into form this season, however, and has been one of the first names on Klopp’s team sheet.
Earlier this season, the Liverpool manager defended his player and said Thiago fits perfectly into the team’s style of play.
“People were questioning if he suits our football? Thank God these people don’t make decisions,’ Klopp said.
“If a player is calming a game down in moments due to a lot of reasons – one of them is just to have a look, or whatever – it is of course nothing we thought (was wrong).
“It is more important Thiago wanted to join us and he knew how we played. He is a real football person and thinks a lot about football. He knew how we played and he knew he would fit in and we knew it as well.”
