Liverpool already have ready-made Thiago replacement as Barcelona eye transfer

New Barcelona boss Xavi is reportedly eyeing a move for Thiago Alcantara, with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp already light on midfield options following Georginio Wijnaldum’s exit

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

The video will auto-play soon8Cancel

Play now

Jurgen Klopp: Two key decisions went against Liverpool in West Ham defeat

Though he only arrived just over a year ago, it appears that Liverpool may need to start searching for a replacement for Thiago Alcantara.

It has not been a successful Anfield stay so far for the Spanish midfielder, who has seen his time on Merseyside hampered by injuries.

Thiago was signed for £20million from Bayern Munich, having developed into one of Europe’s most exciting midfield prospects during his time in the Bundesliga and previously at Barcelona.

While he shown glimpses of the talent that saw him earn that reputation, Thiago’s spell at the Reds cannot be classed as a stunning success.

And according to reports emerging from Spain, his Liverpool career could be cut short if new Barcelona boss Xavi gets his way in the transfer market.

Should Liverpool sell Thiago Alcantara if Barcelona made a bid for the midfielder? Comment below.

Xavi took charge at the Catalan giants earlier this week and transfer insider Pedro Almeida has claimed that he has his eye on Thiago.

The pair played alongside each other at Barca for four years, with Thiago ‘very appreciated’ by his former team-mate.

Though Thiago still has three years to run on his contract at Liverpool, returning to the Nou Camp as part of Xavi’s revolution is an attractive proposition.

If the 30-year-old did depart Anfield, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp would need to find a replacement, with his squad already light on midfielders after Georginio Wijnaldum’s exit.

In a move that fit into a recent trend at Liverpool, Klopp could look to the Reds Under-23s squad and promote from within.

One of those junior players, who could be a ready-made replacement for Thiago, is Tyler Morton, who has impressed under Barry Lewtas.

Morton made eight successive starts at the beginning of the Premier League 2 season, though it has been an underwhelming campaign so far for the young Reds.

But while they only won twice with Morton in the team, the 19-year-old has impressed enough to already be promoted to Klopp’s first-team group.

He has played in both of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup wins so far this season, starting as the defensive midfielder in the trip to Preston North End.

He has also been named on the bench for the Premier League clashes with Brighton and West Ham, as well as the Champions League visit of Atletico Madrid.

Those performances and recognition saw him called up by England Under-20s for their clash with Portugal this week.

And if he continues to impress, it could give Klopp the perfect replacement for Thiago in his first-team line-up, with Harvey Elliott having made the step up earlier this season.

Before that happens, Klopp would like to see Morton bulk up, but his insight on the 19-year-old suggests that he could soon become a Liverpool star.

“I told him we pretty much have to send him directly to the gym now,” Klopp said after the win over Preston.

“Because if he gets a body, he’s a brilliant footballer. There’s obviously some things to come physique-wise, but the football brain is outstanding.”