Thiago Alcântara exit confirmed by Liverpool as Jürgen Klopp sends 'incredible' message
Liverpool has confirmed Thiago Alcântara will leave the club at the end of the current season. The midfielder will bring an end to four years at the club.
Thiago’s contract expires at the end of the campaign and, like Joël Matip, he will depart after Sunday’s final game against Wolves. Manager Jürgen Klopp will also take charge of his final game that day.
Having joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich in a $32m (£25m/€29m) deal, Thiago made 98 appearances for the club, including starting in the FA Cup and Champions League finals in 2022. His time at Anfield though has been plagued by injuries, with the 33-year-old making just the one cameo appearance against Arsenal this season.
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It is not known yet what Thiago’s next step will be. He turned down interest from Saudi Arabia last summer in order to remain at Anfield, but will be looking for a new club this summer.
"Before he even came to Liverpool I believed that if you really love football it would make a lot of sense if you watched Thiago Alcântara play," Klopp told the club’s website.
"Technically, he is so, so good. A talent who could play in any team in the world and it was a privilege to have him with us.
"I already knew a lot about him as a footballer before he got here — what he did at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, how could you not? — and I could not have been happier when he decided to take on a new challenge with us.
"From that point on I got to see him up close and all I can say is 'Wow'. Most importantly, he was part of a new story and helped us develop as a team because of his special qualities.
"I know injuries have been a frustration for him and also for us but the level that he was able to play at when he was available was incredible. This is what I will remember.
"Now he will go in a new direction with his family and we can only wish them well. Wherever he plays next I would be happy to watch. An artist of the game who will only ever paint the most beautiful pictures."
Liverpool.com says: When Thiago was at his best, he was an absolute joy to watch. In that 2021/22 season, when Liverpool came so close to an incredible quadruple, he was simply sublime in the Reds’ midfield.
The problem though has been getting him out on the pitch. Injuries have always been a big issue with Thiago, and considering he has only played a few minutes this season, it makes sense to be parting ways this summer.