Neville explains message “world-class” Thiago will send to Liverpool players

Gary Neville thinks the imminent arrival of Thiago Alcantara will give Liverpool a big boost as they look to retain their Premier League crown.

Reports on Thursday morning claim that the Reds have agreed a £27m deal with Bayern Munich to bring the 29-year-old to Anfield, with the player set to become the second new player through the door this summer after left-back Kostas Tsimikas.

It is a move which will no doubt please Reds fans, and Neville explained just last week how his signing would help Liverpool in their pursuit of a second straight title win.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “It wouldn’t be ridiculous to suggest there will be a slight drop off, if they don’t somehow stimulate that squad by doing something.

“It is a huge emotional drain on the group of players for three years. To ask them to go again and achieve that same standard would be a superhuman effort.

“Getting them to do the same without amendment to the squad to give them that lift again, that is where signing Thiago would give the big one for Liverpool – to send a message to the rest of the players that we’ve signed one of the best players in the world in that position.

“He is world class and would give them a world-class presence in an area of the field where they don’t have a world-class presence. They need that impetus to stay where they are.

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“I could be wrong – they could deliver exactly what they did before but looking at history it doesn’t work like that usually.”

It remains to be seen if Thiago is signed before Liverpool’s mouthwatering clash against Chelsea on Sunday, but it will certainly be intriguing to see if he can replicate his superb form in Germany in the Premier League.