❤️🔥 Thiago Reflects on What Liverpool Gave Him That Barcelona and Bayern Never Could
Few players speak about Liverpool with as much authenticity and affection as Thiago Alcântara. In a recent interview with Coaches’ Voice, the Spanish maestro opened up about his time at Anfield — a period he described as the most complete and fulfilling chapter of his illustrious career.
“At Liverpool, I discovered everything I cherished,” Thiago said. “It had everything I’ve ever loved in football — the passion for competing for every trophy, the intensity on the pitch, and the daily demand for hard work and commitment.”
For Thiago, who previously shone at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Liverpool represented a rare fusion of dominance and devotion — a place where technical brilliance met tireless effort.
“It wasn’t that we were missing anything specific,” he explained. “It was simply about putting in the work — every day, every game.”
The former No.6 also spoke glowingly about Jürgen Klopp, calling him “a manager who can turn any situation into an advantage for the team.”
Thiago credited Klopp’s ability to inspire positivity and direction, even in adversity, as one of the key lessons he’s carried into his own coaching career alongside Hansi Flick at Barcelona.
“With Klopp, there are no negative situations,” Thiago reflected. “Only moments that need to be redirected to help the team. He had this amazing energy that made everyone follow his lead.”
Now 34 and retired, Thiago joined Flick’s coaching staff at Barça earlier this year — a move that, according to Fabrizio Romano, was “strongly desired by both men.”
His affection for Liverpool, however, clearly remains. Supporters still recall his playful moment with Zlatan Ibrahimović, when Thiago quipped that he didn’t speak English — he spoke “Scouse.”
As he embarks on his coaching journey, Thiago says the transition felt natural after years of guiding younger teammates and studying the game from within.
“Even while you’re still playing, you start recognizing patterns and helping others,” he said. “That’s where the interest in coaching begins. Eventually, you start thinking about how to keep sharing what you’ve learned.”
Liverpool has a long tradition of former players returning to Anfield in coaching or ambassadorial roles — and few fans would object if Thiago were to follow that path one day.
For now, though, the elegant midfielder-turned-coach is focused on his new chapter in Catalonia — carrying with him lessons from Barcelona, Bayern, and, above all, the club that gave him “everything [he] cherished.”
