Dietmar Hamann has branded Thiago Alcantara "one of the most overrated players in Europe" in a scathing assessment of Liverpool 's midfield.
The ex-Reds hero, who spent seven years at Anfield and won nine trophies, has laid into Thiago following their defeat in the Champions League final on Saturday. The 31-year-old was unable to work his magic as Liverpool were agonisingly beaten 1-0 by kings of Europe Real Madrid.
In the aftermath of Los Blancos' victory, Hamann took aim at Thiago, "disappointment" Naby Keita and captain Jordan Henderson, who has been dismissed as merely a functional player. "In my opinion, the Reds need to modernise the team a bit, especially in midfield," the German told his native Sky Sports, before honing in on the Spaniard, who arrived from Bayern Munich two years ago.
"I don't understand the hype about Thiago. For me, he is one of the most overrated players in European football. When things are going well and you have a lot of possession he's a good player, but when push comes to shove you don't see him. If you need someone who sets accents, then he doesn't do it.
"Keita is also a disappointment, Henderson is a worker. They need a player who can make the difference and give the team that extra something."
Jurgen Klopp may well be heeding Hamann's advice, as the Reds are linked with a move for Monaco starlet Aurelien Tchoumeni. The 22-year-old is regarded as one of the finest young midfielders in world football, with Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United all tagged as interested.
Tchoumeni's arrival would significantly boost Klopp's midfield options. The Reds currently boast gems such as Fabinho, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott, while veteran James Milner continues to be a reliable presence when called upon. Monaco have already confirmed that they are prepared to sell the France international for the right price.
Tchouameni was recently quizzed on his future by CNN and gave a clever response when asked if he would rather join Liverpool or Los Blancos. "I like both: I can watch Spanish games and English games," the Ligue 1 sensation declared. "It's different to play in Spain and it's different to play in England, but at the end, for me, it's just a matter of adaptation.
Have your say! Do you agree with Hamann? Let us know your opinion in the comments section.
"It's funny, with my friends Benoit Badiashile and Djibril Sidibe, every morning they tell me, 'Ah, you go to this club' and the next day, it's another club. But it's good to be in this situation. It means I'm in a good position.
"I've worked hard to achieve this, so that the best clubs want me. But in the end, it's just social media... the most important thing is to be good in training and in the next game. We'll see."
