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Liverpool’s big-money summer signing Thiago ‘struggling to adapt to Jurgen Klopp’s demands’ amid dramatic slump in form

LIVERPOOL’S big summer signing Thiago is still struggling to adapt to Jurgen Klopp’s style of play amid the Premier League champions’ drastic slide this season.

Thiago arrived in a much-celebrated £20million deal in September fresh from winning a treble with Bayern Munich, but has yet to register a goal or an assist in the English top flight.

Liverpool insiders are reportedly worried about Thiago adapting to Jurgen Klopp’s game
PA:Press Association

A promising start was disrupted by injury and illness, and now some within the club reportedly are worried that he has still not adapted to Klopp’s style of football, according to the Athletic.

These club insiders are apparently concerned that he cannot press in the same way as the likes of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho or Georginio Wijnaldum.

That pressing is one of the most crucial elements of Klopp’s play, and helped Liverpool sweep rivals aside in emphatic fashion for a first league title in 30 years.

This campaign has been embarrassing by comparison, with the Reds languishing in eighth spot in the Premier League.

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Klopp signed Thiago to huge fanfare in September but the move has not worked out
AFP

And Thiago has become one of the poster boys for what is quickly becoming one of the worst title defences in history.

The report states the Spaniard has felt exposed by the lack of a holding midfielder next to him at times, with Fabino and Henderson deputising as centre-halves in Virgil van Dijk’s enforced absence.

Those at the club insist the circumstances around his arrival at the club are the cause of his disappointing start.

A source told the Athletic: “It is just adaptation. With this guy, it is not a problem of attitude, professionalism or confidence.

“And tell me someone who has performed well for Liverpool in recent months? It is not easy to just walk in and blitz it.”

Absence has limited Thiago to 18 appearances this season, but he started Wednesday’s 2-0 win over RB Leipzig to see Liverpool through to the Champions League quarter-finals.

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