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Dirk Kuyt believes Thiago Alcantara is the best midfielder in the world and has backed Liverpool to complete an unprecedented quadruple.
Thiago moved to Anfield from Bayern Munich for £20million (€23.8m) on a four-year deal in September 2020, but failed to live up to expectations during a first season at the club that was hampered by injuries and COVID-19.
Jurgen Klopp’s side lost nine of the first 21 games in which the Spain international featured, including six home defeats in a row, while they were dumped out of the FA Cup and Champions League.
However, Thiago has come to the fore this season, with the Reds a point behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, through to the semi-finals of the Champions League and in the FA Cup final after already winning the EFL Cup.
The Merseyside club have won 14 of 15 top-flight games when Thiago has started this season, in comparison to 10 victories in 18 games without him in the line-up. They also score 2.9 goals on average when he is in the starting XI, as opposed to 2.3 without, and have conceded less (0.3 versus 1).
Thiago has kept Liverpool ticking with his magnificent range of passing, with no Reds player who has featured more than once in the league completing more passes (77.9) per 90 minutes or more in the opponents’ half (46.9).
The former Bayern and Barcelona maestro’s quality was again on show in the 2-0 win over Everton on Sunday as he made more successful passes (119) than Frank Lampard’s entire side (95).
Former Liverpool forward Kuyt was quick to highlight the class of Thiago as he hailed the 31-year-old, but was unsure about the comparisons with Anfield hero Xabi Alonso.
“I think they are slightly different and I’m very happy for Thiago because in the beginning, he needed a bit of time, which is normal in life and in football is to just adapt to the system and to the team and to his new players,” Kuyt told Stats Perform.
“But he’s playing such a great football and before he came he was one of the best midfielders in the world for me but now how he’s playing on the level he’s playing against top, top sides and performing week in week out.
“For me, he’s the best midfielder out there at the minute.”
Former Netherlands international Kuyt, who played 208 times for Liverpool between 2006 and 2012, also believes his former club have the credentials to win all four trophies.
“They’ve got the squad to do it. They’ve got the players and the manager to do it,” he added.
“But it’s just small details will decide whether they win the quadruple or maybe only the Premier League or the Champions League, but it will be amazing and very well deserved if Liverpool can achieve it all.”
Klopp’s team host Villarreal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie on Wednesday.
