Goodbye, Thiago will be replaced by a player ten years younger and half his salary.

The career of Thiago Alcántara (32) is enviable. Thirty-five titles have been won by the Spanish-Brazilian, who also has an Italian passport by birth, but who opted for the national team at the age of cadet. He was European Under-17 and twice Under-21 champion with the Spain's national team, although he was left with the 'thorn' of not being crowned with the senior team, despite playing 46 games (two goals), including a World Cup (Russia 2018) and two European Championships (2016 and 2020/21). 

He won it all with FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich, although his time at Liverpool, which is about to end, has not been so happy, largely due to injuries. He will take home a Community Shield, a Carabao Cup and an FA Cup, but not the continuity he needed to relaunch himself. Unused in the 23/24, he already knows that he will not be offered a new contract and, even given his high salary, Anfield will open the door for him this January if someone comes in right away.

The midfielder who dazzled all and sundry cost the Reds 22 million euros three seasons ago, although he has been struggling for some time with groin problems that led to a more serious hip problem, as well as other muscular problems, although he is now only suffering from a lack of rhythm. His free agent status has attracted a number of big-name clubs, especially in Serie A, although they are all thinking more in terms of summer than winter investment. Juventus and Inter Milan (in Italy there is not so much suspicion about his age) have positioned themselves, while Barça, who are now looking for a complement to Oriol Romeu because of the long shadow left by Sergi Busquets, value Guido Rodríguez, younger and also with no strings attached next season, but they are not forgetting about their youth player. In any case, Al-Ettifaq of Saudi Arabia were already left with the desire to incorporate him a few months ago and will return to the charge with a good wad of cash.

The player who will displace him

Although different in character, Curtis Jones is set to be Thiago Alcantara's replacement now that he is leaving Liverpool. It is striking that he is ten years younger than the Spaniard and his salary is less than half that of the player who has been injured for several months and whose contract expires in 2024.