Thiago reveals why he didn’t think twice about joining Liverpool and realising his Premier League dream

Thiago has opened up on realising his ambition to play in the Premier League

Thiago Alcantara in action for Liverpool (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Thiago Alcantara didn’t think twice about joining Liverpool last summer, he has revealed.

When the midfielder’s contract was up at Bayern Munich, offers flooded in for one of the most talented players in world football. One possibility was to return to La Liga, where he began his career with Barcelona, but Thiago says his only goal was to play in the Premier League, and when the champions came calling it was a no brainer.

“I had options to return (to Spain), but it was clear to me,” said Thiago to Spanish newspaper AS. “Leaving Bayern was to be able to live the experience of the Premier League, a very competitive league.

“When I got the call from the coach (Jurgen Klopp) and the club, it was an easy decision to choose the destination. But it was difficult to choose if I really wanted to leave Bayern. In the end it happened and I am very happy.

“It is a change of country, club, stadium and you have the expectation not only of seeing the fans in the stadium, and it will be beautiful to see Anfield full, but also the experience of learning day by day about this new country.”

Thiago is currently away with Spain on international duty, having endured something of a stop-start debut season at Anfield, taking time out with coronavirus and a knee injury. But Liverpool are still going in the Champions League, and Thiago will face an old foe when they meet Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.

“We have received the match (against Real Madrid) with all the respect in the world, with respect for a knockout of a Champions League quarter-final, wanting to be able to play the matches. It is a wonderful competition, against a fantastic team. We face Real Madrid with the respect we owe.”