Liverpool new boy Thiago billed as world’s best in one key area as Barnes salutes classy playmaker

Liverpool new boy Thiago Alcantara is the best in the world at keeping possession, claims Reds legend John Barnes, while Fabinho is fast becoming one of the first names on the team sheet at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp has continued to find considerable value in the transfer market at Anfield.

Spain international Thiago is one of his latest additions, with the classy playmaker snapped up from Bayern Munich on the back of treble-winning exploits for the German giants in 2019-20.

His passing ability and desire to get on the front foot make him a perfect fit for the Premier League champions, with an eye-catching debut put in off the bench during a 2-0 victory over Chelsea.

Barnes expects the 29-year-old midfielder to kick on from this point, with there no better player on the planet at ticking the ball over.

“Thiago was amazing on his debut at the weekend,” Reds icon Barnes told BonusCodeBets.

“For him, he came on the pitch at half-time in the best possible situation. Playing against a team with 10 men, whereby he will get plenty of the ball really dominate the situation and the game in the middle of the park.

“He broke the Premier League record for the highest number of passes completed by a player in 45 minutes which says a lot about his quality and what he can bring to this team moving forward.

“It’ll be interesting to see how he does against teams like Manchester City when he doesn’t see as much of the possession, but these are all nice problems for Jurgen Klopp to have.

“For keeping the ball however, there is no better player in world football at doing so than Thiago.”

Another of those to impress against Chelsea was Fabinho, with the versatile Brazilian asked to fill in alongside Virgil van Dijk at centre-half.

Barnes cannot see the South American providing a long-term solution at the back, but does believe that the 26-year-old has become an integral part of Klopp’s plans.

He added: “Fabinho was brilliant against Chelsea at the weekend, he won’t make a big impact in central defence long term, but it’s good to know he can slot in there effectively when he needs to.

“When he plays in midfield as the more defensively-minded player, he makes a big impact.

“There is not many better than him in that position and he proved how good he was in this role so many times last season.

“For me, when it comes to the conundrum of who plays in midfield, he is one of the first names on the team sheet for me as he is the only real holding midfielder in the squad.”