Former Liverpool midfielder Christian Ziege has urged Thiago Alcantara to stay with Bayern Munich, saying he wouldn't fit in with Jurgen Klopp's style of play.
Ziege, who played for the Bundesliga side for seven years, feels the Reds target would be better off with Bayern, claiming a Premier League move would not suit him.
Former Barcelona star Thiago, seen as one of the world's best midfielders, is keen on a move to England, with the newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool said to be eyeing up a £32million deal for the midfielder this summer.
Speaking to CaughtOffside, Ziege said he would even recommend a return to LaLiga over a transfer to the English top flight to the 29-year-old, who he called 'a fantastic player'.
'I have to say I love this player,' Ziege said. 'He is a fantastic player but I'm not sure he fits into the Premier League and the Klopp style of playing.
'I think where he is, Bayern Munich, is a good place for him. Or maybe a Spanish team.
'I'm not 100 per cent sure [about him joining Liverpool], although he is a fantastic player so he will handle it somehow. I'm just not 100 per cent sure it's right for him.'
Klopp has this week brushed aside speculation linking his side with Thiago, whose contract with Bayern ends next summer.
'Thiago is a really good player, like a lot of other players out there I like a lot, but that's all I have to say about it.'
As Thiago's contract nears its end, his manager Hansi Flick said he was optimistic he could convince the player to commit his future.
'I'm trying my best to make sure Thiago stays here and that you can convince him to stay,' he said. 'But that's one thing that time will show.'
'We still have the Champions League ahead of us now and we have a lot of plans, also together with him.'
Thiago, a product of Barcelona's La Masia academy, has made 231 appearances since joining Bayern from Barcelona in 2013, despite suffering with a host of injury problems since his arrival. This season he has started 25 times and scored three goals, with two assists.
Liverpool had been in the market for another Bundesliga star in recent weeks, with forward Timo Werner expected to move to Anfield after months of speculation. However, Chelsea snapped him up for around £53m, with the Reds opting not to splash out for the Leipzig man.
Ziege, who is now the manager of Austrian side FC Pinzgau, admitted he was puzzled that Liverpool didn't push harder for Werner, even though he would have faced a battle to start with a number of attacking options already in their ranks.
'In the first place I was thinking "why is he going to Chelsea?", and "why is Liverpool not trying harder to get him?",' he added.
'But I think Chelsea is working through big changes and making progress through (Frank) Lampard… bringing in good new players, good young players, having success at the moment in the Premier League.
'So it might be the right decision for him. If you come to Liverpool you have (Roberto) Firmino, (Sadio) Mane, (Mohamed) Salah, and it might be really difficult to get a place.
'Liverpool obviously have good forwards, fantastic forwards, (but) at some stage it has to be changed, get another good player to push those guys who are there.
'Every story ends at some point. The bigger the success you have, the more you have to think about the next step.'
Wueacdlmop
0
waaw lovi livarpool
limbdklruy
1
Keira is good but eja +form some times ; Some times we need a prayer like Thigo look in the game of UCL Atrico Madrid if we hard such a Boller LVP FC was going through round 8: Look in Manu they have Only one Boller BF and there good now
limbdklruy
1
I wander A maneger like Ziege , you give her a Super And Macure player he can not use him in his FC Pinzgau ; please Mr. Ziege come and learn from Super Klopp is not a flop but a successful .
Zozilouy
1
no problem if he want to join let him join as like milker
FAB-KOP
2
The man is saying absolute facts... Thiago is a baller way better than our midfielders... none of them can ball like Thiago may be Keita can come close... but klopps machine want who has work rate like hell and who can press for 90 full minutes... can Thiago do that i dont think soo... ... but he can be moulded into that player only issue is that of his fitness...
cambikmuz
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We paid 13 million for shaq. That’s buttons these days. Are u really doubting are recruitment?????robertson, Gini, mo, mane, Virgil, alison........cmon mate!! What do u know seriously, we’ve just won the the league stop being negative. In klopp we trust!!!
Bro go and reread what I said before you even comment! Brother I’m not doubting our recruitments evidently. If I was then I wouldn’t be supporting klopp decisions. Smh
Cembcmoptz
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Well shut up if you’re not sure about him joining Liverpool. All of a sudden everyone wants to give their opinion
We paid 13 million for shaq. That’s buttons these days. Are u really doubting are recruitment?????robertson, Gini, mo, mane, Virgil, alison........cmon mate!! What do u know seriously, we’ve just won the the league stop being negative. In klopp we trust!!!
cambikmuz
0
Well shut up if you’re not sure about him joining Liverpool. All of a sudden everyone wants to give their opinion
If Klopp sees him as a great player that will be able to adapt to his system then I’m with him 100%. A lot of people had negative comments when he was buying Robertson. Some were asking why didn’t he buy a very experience and recognized left back? Now Robertson is the best left back in England and the best in the world for me currently. By the way, some of these players may have good stats with their current team but if they are not willing to put in the hard work and commitment for klopp then it makes no sense for me. Milner and Gini are the two perfect examples.
shaunsilva
0
Well shut up if you’re not sure about him joining Liverpool. All of a sudden everyone wants to give their opinion
Thiago + 15 mil = Werner. Thiago + 17 mil = Sane I'm a Liverpool fan but I'm doubting our recruiting. Esp our cheap signings. Spending 30 mil + wage for 1.5 - 2 years of his time as a squad player isnt a good deal. eg. Shaqiri. Good signing but not worth 30 mil based on how much he played
hoeebisms009
6
Guys look at the positive side. Lately Keita has been performing so well so why not we give a chance for first team breakthrough? Think plus we should focus on squad longevity as most of our players are 28 or 29 and Thiago is also 29. To me it will be good if we have him but Keita can only get better if we give him the chance
Sibbceisty
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Mr Ziege sorry to say this but you weren't good at Liverpool doing your times and bear in mind that no one was born professional OK.
Sucbdmprty
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We do Not Buy a 29yrs
AnkitDhakal
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Sell him if he wants to leave..use those money to buy another player..simple.
cambikmuz
0
Well shut up if you’re not sure about him joining Liverpool. All of a sudden everyone wants to give their opinion
Hazbdeknu
2
shut up man.
MN9
6
Let him experienced the EPL, that's the best league
Zuwcirst
3
This guy is smoking
King_Keynan
0
Alcantara is 30 yrs old.. Let Juventus sign him [Crylaugh]
Somechelzyfans
4
Thiago Alcantara has done a lot in his career achieved a lot how old is he 30? if he is it's still a shock why the old ladies haven't been linked with him (Barcelona and Juventus)[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]