Xabi Alonso Backs Thiago to Leave His Mark on Liverpool

Xabi Alonso has many things in common with Thiago Plantar. They're both great passers of the ball, even if Xabi never quite had the dribbling gifts Thiago's blessed with. They also both plied their football for both Liverpool FC and Bayern Munich. Speaking to UEFA.com, Xabi has backed his former teammate to succeed at Liverpool:

I have loved watching Thiago Alcantara, the way he has been able to connect with the attacking players, helping to defend with his special qualities.

He’s a great friend, but above that, he’s become one of the best midfielders, and he’s a fabulous, intelligent, interesting, fun guy to be around in a training session and a dressing room.

He loves football; he shows that with his personality and with the way he plays. He’s able to connect with his team-mates very easily. He’s done it fantastically at Bayern, and I feel that he’s going to do it in the same way at Liverpool, and I love it.

Liverpool FC are hurting in defence and midfield right now, but Baby's comments are a timely reminder that the club is about to get one of the world's very best midfielders back onto the pitch soon. It can't come soon enough.