Alisson rates Thiago’s Liverpool debut and outlines where he stands in squad

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has hailed new boy Thiago Alcantara after the midfielder’s impressive debut for the club in the 2-0 win over Chelsea.

The Reds confirmed the signing of the 29-year-old on Friday, which just before the Premier League deadline to be eligible to play at the weekend.

And after a few training sessions with his new team-mates, he was included in the squad which travelled to Stamford Bridge.

With Chelsea going down to 10 men and Jordan Henderson struggling with a knock before half-time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp turned to Thiago at the start of the second half.

It proved to be an inspired decision as Thiago completed more passes (75) than any Chelsea player managed in the entire match, giving Liverpool complete control of the midfield.

Alisson also played an important role, saving a penalty from Chelsea’s Jorginho.

But the Brazilian believes Thiago’s cameo off the bench was crucial to giving Liverpool an injection of quality and feels he will soon be fighting for a place in the starting XI.

“I see that his entry was necessary. Hendo felt something, I don’t know what,” he told ESPN Brasil.

“I don’t know if it was a discomfort or a blow. It was a necessity for him to enter and he’d done three or four training sessions with us.

“Showing his quality, the level of player he is, a player capable of competing for a position within the team.

“And certainly his entry gave mobility and a lot of movement in the midfield for us to be able to create spaces, find difficult passes, he’s a player who has this quality, to find passes between lines.

“He certainly contributed a lot to our victory.”

Thiago is likely to feature for Liverpool on Thursday night when they face Lincoln in the League Cup.