Pulses will no doubt be racing across the Liverpool fanbase on Saturday night, owing to the latest word surrounding the wellbeing of midfielder Thiago Alcantara.
The Reds, of course, are primed to return to action in short order, having made the trip to Paris for a Champions League final showdown with Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Jurgen Klopp’s troops will head into proceedings eyeing a triumphant close to a remarkable campaign, having already added to the club’s silverware cabinet on a pair of occasions, courtesy of a League Cup and FA Cup double.
In turn, it came as little surprise when boss Klopp opted for as strong an XI as possible to take to the Stade de France pitch, featuring both of returning midfield pair Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho:
Here’s how we line up for the #UCLfinal
👊🔴
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 28, 2022
Ahead of the fast-approaching kick-off in Paris, however, the status of the former was thrown into serious doubt.
This came as Thiago was spotted warming up away from the rest of Liverpool’s starters, in an individual training programme.
In turn, upon Naby Keita being spotted in the Spaniard’s place alongside the rest of Klopp’s star performers, swiftly followed by what appeared to be something of a pep talk between the pair, rumours quickly began to spread that Thiago was in line to the bench.
Thiago giving Naby Keïta a hug and chat…
Could we be seeing a late change? 👀#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/Zcl50FJNKN
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 28, 2022
In the end, however, Thiago, it is understood, was deemed well enough to feature from the off on Saturday, with Liverpool’s starting XI therefore remaining unchanged.
It now remains to be seen whether the former Barcelona man is in condition to see out the full 90 minutes…
Thiago starts https://t.co/UqMqVBtQRV
— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) May 28, 2022
Liverpool vs Real Madrid live streaming: Watch UEFA Champions League final online
Former Liverpool keeper David James urges club to not break “their model” amid uncertainty surrounding Mohamed Salah
