Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes that Jurgen Klopp's style of play will not get the best out of Thiago Alcantara.
The Spaniard's maiden campaign at Anfield has been bedevilled by injuries and he is without a goal or assist in six appearances across all competitions.
Thiago has displayed flashes of brilliance but could not help Liverpool get over the line in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Manchester United, and Hamann thinks that Liverpool's fast-paced style of play does not suit a player who takes a more steady approach.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Hamann said: "He slows things down and doesn't really play the way Liverpool play. Liverpool in the past have had hard-working midfielders, they were not as skilful as Thiago, but they have the ball to Mane and Salah early.
"I just feel with Thiago, everyone was raving about him coming to Liverpool, he's hardly played. He came on against Chelsea and had the most passes in the second half, against a Chelsea team that was down to 10 men.
"He came on against Newcastle in the last 25 minutes, Newcastle were dead on their feet, everyone was raving about how good he is. I can tell you, he's a good player, a skilful player.
"But there was never a time in Munich where people said, 'oh he's the first on the teamsheet'. So I'd be very cautious when it comes to Thiago. And the other thing is, as other people alluded to earlier, he plays a different style of football. He likes to be in possession.
"Liverpool were always good when they weren't in possession, won it and played quickly forward. He's not that type of player, so it will be very interesting when he does play more often now how it's going to change the dynamics of the team."
Liverpool's goalless stalemate with the Red Devils leaves them down in fourth in the Premier League table - four points adrift of leaders Leicester City after their 2-0 win over Chelsea on Tuesday night.
Ben Knapton
