Jamie Carragher has told Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp why Thiago should start against Arsenal after the Spaniard returned to training earlier this week. Following their 4-1 defeat to Man City, Klopp made several changes for the clash against Chelsea four days later, with Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah notable absentees.
After 60 minutes, Salah was introduced by Klopp, but was unable to have any impact as the game finished goalless. Despite featuring in mid-week, Salah joined Van Dijk as a possible fitness doubt for the Arsenal clash after he was not pictured in training on Thursday.
While the absence of the influential winger was a blow, Liverpool were handed a major injury boost with Thiago, who has missed two months of action with a hip flexor problem, back training.
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To many, Liverpool's biggest issue this season has been in midfield. The performances of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson have dipped significantly with the energetic Liverpool three-man midfield plan, which often set the tempo for Klopp's team, nowhere to be seen in recent months.
The midfield trio of Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka will fancy their chances to dominate proceedings at Anfield this weekend. However, Jamie Carragher has told Klopp that starting Thiago could help the Reds wrestle control from the Gunners in the middle of the park.
Carragher told the Sky Sports Essential Football Podcast: "It will be interesting to see what role Thiago plays whether he goes on the bench and he comes on or if he starts the game. Only Jurgen Klopp knows how fit Thiago is, but if there’s no chance of a recurrence of an injury I’d probably start him.
"If he’s anywhere near I would be putting Thiago straight in that team and trying to get the foot on the ball and a bit of possession and creativity from that position."
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