{"id":580968,"date":"2021-01-29T05:34:38","date_gmt":"2021-01-29T10:34:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=580968"},"modified":"2021-01-30T14:55:47","modified_gmt":"2021-01-30T19:55:47","slug":"utilising-thiago-alcantara-in-more-adavanced-role-the-key-to-unlocking-the-liverpool-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/01\/29\/utilising-thiago-alcantara-in-more-adavanced-role-the-key-to-unlocking-the-liverpool-attack\/","title":{"rendered":"Utilising Thiago Alcantara in More Advanced Role the Key to Unlocking the Liverpool Attack"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before last night’s 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur<\/a>, Liverpool<\/a> had gone five games without a win in the league, with a lack of goals to blame. In those five games, predictability and a lack of creativity was the apparent issue for all to see.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, in last night’s win, Liverpool didn’t look a side on a five-game run without a goal or three points. Instead, they looked like the Premier League<\/a> champions; they looked a side so dominant in the press; so vigorous going forward. Ultimately, they looked like Jurgen Klopp’s mentality monsters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And, whilst a return to form for both Trent Alexander-Arnold<\/a> and Roberto Firmino<\/a> played a large part in the impressive display, it was a change of position for Thiago Alcantara<\/a> which made the difference.<\/span><\/p>\n

Playing Thiago in a More Advanced Role the Key for Liverpool<\/span><\/h2>\n

Liverpool Back to Scintillating Best<\/span><\/h3>\n

Instead of playing in a deeper role, Thiago was released from the shackles of defensive responsibility and thrust into a more advanced position to help put an end to Liverpool’s goalscoring woes.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you take a look at Mohamed Salah’s<\/a> goal- which, in the end, was ruled out, you’ll notice the impact of Thiago in a more advance role. As the ball came into Roberto Firmino’s feet, Thiago was perfectly placed to receive the lay-off before playing an inch-perfect pass into Sadio Mane’s feet who found Salah for the goal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the end, a handball meant the goal could not stand, but Thiago’s influence in a more advanced role was there for all to see. Utilising the former Bayern Munich<\/a> man’s passing range higher up the pitch could be the difference-maker for Liverpool this season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With him in that role, Jurgen Klopp’s pressing machine was back to its scintillating best. But, Georginio Wijnaldum also deserves some credit for the display.<\/span><\/p>\n

Versatility of Georginio Wijnaldum Allowed for Position Change<\/span><\/h3>\n

Of course, with Thiago in a more advanced role, someone had to fill the void left in the deeper position. And that someone was Gini Wijnaldum. The Dutchman is every manager’s dream.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want a box-to-box midfielder, Wijnaldum is your man. If you want an attacking midfielder- as proven when with the Dutch national team- Wijnaldum is your man. And, as proven last night, if you want a number six, Wijnaldum is your man.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His versatility allowed for the crucial position change of Thiago, and, when filling in, he dominated the middle of the park- putting out fires whilst they were just showing hints of becoming a flame.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The stats<\/a> only add further accreditation to his performance, too. In total, the Dutchman made 12 ball recoveries- four more than any other Liverpool player. And that was the difference for the Reds.<\/span><\/p>\n

In recent times, they have failed to show fight- losing out on every second ball. Against Tottenham, the fight was back, the creativity returned in abundance, and, as a result, so did the goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When Liverpool needed to the must – as they have always done under Jurgen Klopp – they stepped up to put in what could be a season-defining performance.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>