Thiago the on-field brain behind Liverpool’s quadruple charge

LONDON: If Liverpool’s first two journeys to the Champions League final under Jurgen Klopp were characterized by chaos, then the third — likely to be completed on Tuesday — ought to be defined by control.

And no one is bringing more control to this remarkable quadruple-chasing team than Thiago Alcantara.

“People were questioning if he suits our football?” Klopp said recently of Thiago, almost in disgust. “Thank God these people don’t make decisions.”

It’s Klopp who signs off the big decisions at Anfield, at least when it comes to signing players, and his record in that regard over the past two years has been particularly strong.

Diogo Jota hit the ground running at Liverpool, quickly breaking up the long-established front three. Luis Diaz, another winger, might have settled even quicker and has been a revelation since joining from Porto in January. Ibrahima Konate has been quietly impressive in his first season, locking in a center-back berth for the Champions League campaign.

Thiago has been the slow burner following his move from Bayern Munich in the offseason of 2020 but has clearly now caught fire.

His no-look passes often catch the eye — and often catch out mesmerized opponents — but it’s the Spaniard’s touch, composure and footballing brain that have really started to shine through in what’s shaping up to be a season for the ages by Liverpool.

It’s those qualities which Klopp will want from Thiago as Liverpool heads to Estadio de la Ceramica for the second leg of the Champions League semifinals against Villarreal and protecting a 2-0 lead.

Thiago was again the ringleader in the first leg, completing 99 of his 103 passes in a display of utter dominance by the English club. And it was Thiago who, when things