Jurgen Klopp hits back at Liverpool legends over Thiago Alcantara criticism - "Thank God"

Antonio Conte on Erik ten Hag appointment

Jurgen Klopp on Erik ten Hag appointment

Premier League announces six more Hall of Fame inductees

Cristiano Ronaldo announces death of newborn son

Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte press conference

Erik ten Hag appointed next Manchester United manager

Ralf Rangnick reviews Liverpool defeat

Arteta hails Saka's maturity after scoring penalty at Chelsea

Jurgen Klopp has hit back at critics of Thiago Alcantara and admitted he is thankful they are not the decision-makers at Liverpool.

Since arriving at Anfield, there have been suggestions that Thiago is not well-suited for Liverpool as he showed signs of struggling last season while a knee injury sidelined for three months at the beginning of his Reds career..

Former Reds star Dietmar Hamann was among those to criticise Thiago, suggesting he was the wrong type of player for Liverpool as he "slows things down", while John Barnes offered similar views on the midfielder. Thiago was man of the match in Liverpool's 4-0 thumping of Manchester United on Tuesday, though, leading boss Klopp to fire back at his critics.

Klopp said on Friday: “People were questioning if he suits our football? Thank God these people don’t make decisions. It is more important Thiago wanted to join us and he knew how we played. He is a real football person and thinks a lot about football. He knew how we played, and he knew he would fit in and we knew it as well.”

It was against Liverpool's opponents on Sunday, Everton, that Thiago's Reds career got off to a difficult start when he suffered an injury in only his first start for the club following a tackle from Richarlison which saw the Toffees' forward sent off. Thiago eventually returned to the side midway