Thiago has not yet played a game for Liverpool FC this season – now he has suffered the next setback. Wataru Endo, on the other hand, is in line for a starting berth
When Thiago was substituted in the 59th minute of the rather ordinary Premier League match between West Ham and Liverpool (1-2) on 26 April, he had no idea that it would be his last appearance for a long time. And there is still no end in sight to his umpteenth period of suffering.
On Friday, Jürgen Klopp announced at his press conference prior to the unpleasant visit of Brighton that Thiago had suffered a further setback in his fight for an early comeback. In May, the 32-year-old midfielder had undergone hip surgery.
Klopp finds setback “annoying “
“It’s just annoying, especially for him,” Klopp said. “He’s had two setbacks now in the build-up training. Nothing major, but enough to take him off the training pitch again.” While it was “by no means” the same injury, it was “a bit similar”, the coach said. “That’s how it is sometimes with long-term injuries. “
Klopp now hopes Thiago will be able to return to action after the upcoming international break. “That would be cool.” At the same time, he said, he didn’t want to put any pressure on him – knowing full well that Thiago had repeatedly had to take shorter and longer mandatory breaks since his move from FC Bayern to Liverpool in the summer of 2020. Of a possible 121 Premier League games, the two-time Champions League winner played only 67.
Who will replace Jones? A change speaks in favour of Endo
Good for Klopp that he is not necessarily reliant on Thiago’s services right now. With the additions of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo, plus Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott, the Reds have plenty of options in midfield. The question of who will replace the red-capped Jones at Brighton and complement the three-man midfield around the currently seeded Mac Allister and Szoboszlai will be all the more intriguing.
Gravenberch made a strong bid in the Europa League against Union Saint-Gilloise (2-0) and not just because of his first goal for Liverpool, but it was still noticeable that Endo was part of the trio around Mohamed Salah and Darwin, who were substituted at half-time as planned and thus spared. The ex-Stuttgart man can therefore hope to start for the second time in the league on Sunday.
