Jurgen Klopp is strategically positioning Thiago Alcantara within Liverpool’s plans for the upcoming season. Klopp has communicated to the seasoned Spanish player that his experience will be pivotal in guiding the team’s younger members. 

Despite interest from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli, who are reportedly considering a £10.3 million bid, Liverpool has not yet received any official offers for the 32-year-old midfielder. With Thiago’s contract set to expire soon and no extension discussions in sight, Klopp’s conversations with him about his role come as he returns to full training after a three-month absence due to a hip operation.

And of official interest in the player, Klopp said: “No, there is nothing. Honestly. Thiago is now training. Nobody asked.

“He came in and asked about his role and we spoke. Super experienced player, he stepped up in that department. He has only been in team training for a week but very vocal, he is going to be very helpful for us.”

Jurgen Klopp is strategically positioning Thiago Alcantara to play a vital role in Liverpool’s upcoming season, specifically in guiding a young and evolving squad. Despite reports of interest from Saudi Arabia, the club has not received any formal offers for the 32-year-old midfielder, who is in the final year of his contract. Conversations between Klopp and Thiago have been instrumental in clarifying the player’s involvement, especially as Liverpool’s midfield saw significant departures of experienced players during the summer transfer window.

Thiago’s influence on the team is remarkable, having made more first-team appearances than any other midfielder since his arrival. The departure of notable figures like captain Jordan Henderson, vice-captain James Milner, Fabinho, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leaves a void in terms of midfield experience, accounting for a collective total of 1,318 games played for the Reds. Despite transitioning from having one of the league’s most experienced midfields to now possessing one of the youngest, Klopp maintains a pragmatic perspective on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

When asked if the change in team dynamics might impact their ability to compete with Manchester City for the title, Klopp responds candidly: “We will see.” Drawing from his experiences at Borussia Dortmund, where he clinched his first Bundesliga title with a young team, Klopp emphasizes that age is not a major concern, believing that experience will accumulate gradually throughout the season.