Liverpool ace Thiago Alcantara has received harsh criticism of late from some sections of fans and the media. West Ham United ace Declan Rice stood up for the Spaniard, however, suggesting that the Reds midfielder taught him a lesson when they played against each other recently, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
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The 29-year-old joined Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool from Bayern Munich in September for around £25 million (BBC).
Thiago has enjoyed a glittering career in the game but some fans and pundits expected more of him since he arrived Anfield five months ago.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich ace, who earns £150k-a-week at Liverpool according to Football League FC, has been labelled as a sideways pass merchant. He has also struggled with the physicality of the Premier League at times.
Liverpool ace Thiago defended by Declan Rice
Anyone who knows and understands the game, however, can see just what he brings to the table.
And West Ham ace Declan Rice stood up for the Liverpool star, suggesting that the Spaniard taught him a lesson recently, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo:
“When I played against Thiago the other day for Liverpool, obviously he is a holding midfielder, it was a big lesson. He ran the game.”
It is not very often that a Premier League player will admit that he was inferior to one of his opponents. Fair play to Rice. He is undoubtedly a star of the future and his extraordinary honesty and humbleness will definitely help him as he strives to become world-class.
Learning from the likes of Liverpool ace Thiago will stand the young West Ham man in great stead.
The 29-year-old Spain International may have found the going tough in the Premier League at times. His quality is undeniable, however.
And Rice’s comments on Thiago prove exactly that.
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