Liverpool's Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara looks on during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on December 11, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Thiago Alcantara has sadly been removed from the Liverpool starting-XI after suffering an injury in the warm-up prior to the Reds’ upcoming tie with Chelsea in the League Cup final.
Naby Keita takes the Spaniard’s place in the first-XI, as noted in a tweet by Carl Markham, with Harvey Elliott brought onto the bench.
It’s a huge blow to the Merseysiders given how the club has previously struggled in midfield against Chelsea without the talents of the former Bayern Munich midfielder.
READ MORE: (Video) Watch these Liverpool fans singing Jota chant inside Wembley ahead of League Cup final clash
Though undoubtedly a massive shame for us in a game of such importance, there can be no question that we have more than enough quality across the pitch to ensure that we’re genuine competitors for our potential first piece of silverware of the season.
Naby Keita, though somewhat inconsistent, has likewise proven to be a strong performer when called upon by the coaching staff of late and we’ll be looking forward to the Guinean hopefully making a strong start against Thomas Tuchel’s men.
#Ep36 of The Red Nets Podcast: Is Thiago the one we can’t do without? The title race… and more!
