Liverpool star Thiago responds to Barcelona transfer speculations

Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara has responded to speculations linking him with a return to boyhood club FC Barcelona.

Speaking to the media ahead of the game against FC Porto, as relayed by Goal, Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara has addressed rumours of him being linked with a move to Barcelona, insisting that he is currently focused on doing well at Anfield.

Thiago came through the youth ranks at Barcelona and was widely regarded as the natural heir to club legend and current first-team manager Xavi Hernandez at Camp Nou. The 30-year-old went on to make 100 appearances for the Catalan giants, scoring 11 goals and registering 20 assists.

However, Barcelona decided to offload him to Bayern Munich in 2013, where he reunited with Pep Guardiola and achieved great success. Indeed, Thiago went on to play a key part in Die Roten’s domination in German football for the good part of the last decade, winning seven Bundesliga titles, along with various other honours.

The Spanish international made his way to Liverpool last year but hasn’t made the kind of impact expected of him to date. Thiago has struggled with niggling injuries and fitness issues that have held him back in England. With him not being a regular in Jurgen Klopp’s side, the rumour mill has been abuzz with speculations of an exit for the midfielder.

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Those rumours only grew stronger with the appointment of Xavi at Barcelona, with reports claiming that Thiago was a transfer target for the Blaugrana. In fact, several outlets even reported the midfielder himself was considering returning to Camp Nou.

However, the Liverpool superstar has taken it upon himself to address these speculations, insisting that he is not concerned about what is written in the tabloids. Instead, the 30-year-old is completely focused on winning trophies with Liverpool.

 “I play football. I’m not concerned about rumours. I’m focused on the duty I have to my team, the contract I have and the new adventure I have here in the Premier League trying to win all the trophies I can,” he said.

Since arriving at Liverpool, Thiago has managed just 38 appearances across all competitions, scoring and assisting one goal apiece. While there is no doubt over his quality, the Spaniard has been struggling with fitness issues. But, once fit, he can be a great asset for Klopp’s side.