Steve Nicol says Liverpool should sign Thiago Alcantara but suggest one con

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Former Liverpool stalwart Steve Nicol has told ESPN FC that Liverpool should sign Thiago Alcantara but doesn’t believe he’s the right kind of player for the Reds right now.

The former defender has been discussing the potential deal and although he believes the Spain international has strong passing attributes, he doesn’t think he’d be perfect in Klopp’s current system.

Nicol spent 14 years at Liverpool as a right-back, winning the league title four times, the FA Cup three times and the European Cup.

The Guardian state that the Bayern Munich man is valued at £27 million (Guardian), although Liverpool won’t stretch to that with Thiago’s contract up next summer.

Nicol says he would sign him but doesn’t think he’s ideal.

He told ESPN FC: “I would sign him, don’t get me wrong, I think he’s a quality player. If the money is right, yes, go and get him.

“I think he’s a great footballer and he can pass the ball, as far as that ability I agree he’s better than any Liverpool player.

“Unfortunately he just doesn’t fit the mould of what Liverpool do in the middle of the park right now.

“The problem is the way Liverpool play in midfield. It’s more to do with closing the ball down, a lot of energy and ability. He has to have legs, he has to close down quickly.

“Those attributes are what the current Liverpool players have and that isn’t Alcantara.”

Ongoing transfer story

The saga surrounding the Bayern Munich midfielder looks like one that could run until the end of the transfer window.

It seems as though Liverpool would sign the player but only if they can get him for what he feels he is worth.

Klopp has a proud history since checking in at Anfield of getting players at a decent value and he won’t buy Alcantara for the sake of it.

Players like Curtis Jones, Neco Williams and Harvey Elliott earnt Klopp’s trust last season and if he has to throw another youngster in during the next campaign, it wouldn’t be a problem.

It seems obvious that Liverpool fancy Alcantara but Bayern’s stance is unlikely to tempt them into paying over the odds.

Thiago’s link to Liverpool will certainly be one to watch as the transfer window rumbles on.