‘Selfish’ Thiago Alcantara claim made after Liverpool update – pundit
Thiago Alcantara cannot be “selfish” and must not start for Liverpool in their Champions League final with Real Madrid on Saturday if he is not “100 per cent fit”.
That is the view of ex-Aston Villa and England attacker Gabby Agbonlahor, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the midfield battle.
Thiago, 31, limped off just before half time as Liverpool beat Wolves 3-1 on the final day (22 May).
As quoted by Sky Sports on Monday (23 May), Jurgen Klopp admitted it is unlikely that the midfielder will be fit for the Champions League final in Paris.
They are already sweating over the fitness of Fabinho who has not featured since suffering a thigh injury in the 2-1 win over Aston Villa earlier this month (10 May).
“You can say play through the pain but you can’t play when you are going to let the team down, you’ve got to be 100 per cent,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider corrsepondent Connor Whitley.
“You can’t be selfish and play because you want to play in a Champions League final. I’m sure that Klopp will be checking all his players and making sure they are 100 per cent because Real Madrid are a good side.
“In that midfielder, [Eduardo] Camavinga might start after the way he played against Man City.
“It’s going to be a very tough game for Liverpool. Real Madrid have had a lot more rest.”
Saturday’s final is a rematch of the 2018 showpiece when Real Madrid came out 3-1 winners in Kyiv.
Jurgen Klopp’s side lifted the trophy the following season with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham in Madrid.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed Liverpool are right to be livid as legal proceedings over a £4million payout begins.