Thiago will play no part in the rest of Liverpool’s season as the Spanish midfielder undergoes surgery to correct a lingering hip problem.

In his third season at Anfield now, Thiago has continually struggled with fitness issues, and this time will end with his fewest appearances.

The 32-year-old has made just 28 appearances for the Reds this season and, despite being available for the last four games before Sunday’s 4-3 win over Tottenham, has been unused in all of them.

Thiago was not in the squad to face Spurs this weekend and now rumors have spread that he will have surgery.

GOAL’s Neil Jones reports that it was a “minor surgery” but that, with just five games to go, he is ruled out for the rest of the season. The hip flexor injury is described as “long overdue” having also sidelined him from the stadiums earlier in the campaign.

Football Insider’s David Lynch and The Times’ Paul Joyce also carry the story, with the latter adding a timely reminder of Liverpool’s transfer plans.

Joyce says Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is “high on the list of targets” and at least two are expected to be signed this summer.

Thiago is entering the final year of his contract at Merseyside and it’s hard to argue the No.6 should be rewarded with an extension.

While a great footballer can easily set the tone in midfield, his frail physical form and the fact that he will turn 33 before the end of his tenure suggest his high salary would be better spent elsewhere.

Also.. 

Jurgen Klopp regrets comments about referee Paul Tierney ” it was not ok”

Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp admits celebrating like he did against Tottenham was a mistake

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he regrets the headlines for his comments about referee Paul Tierney after Sunday’s 4-3 win over Tottenham.

Klopp said Tierney seemed to have something ‘against’ his side after being shown a yellow card for celebrating in front of the fourth official.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) arbitration committee rejected Klopp’s claims.

“The whole situation shouldn’t have happened,” Klopp said.

“At that time, it was out of emotion and anger. That’s why I celebrated like I did.

“We won a game 4-3 in spectacular fashion and the only titles I’ve made and I’m really sorry. It’s not necessary and not how it should be.”

Klopp was furious when Spurs were awarded a free kick which resulted in an equaliser, and ran to the fourth official after the winner, injuring his leg.

He was booked by the referee after his celebration and, speaking of when he was booked, Klopp said what Tierney told him was “not right”.

PGMOL, the body responsible for refereeing in the Premier League, said Tierney acted ‘professionally’ during the match and when he warned Klopp, adding that Premier League match officials are registered at all matches via a system of communication. Klopp says he regrets some of the things he said about the official in his post-match interviews, but denies lying about their conversation.

“I tried to calm myself down, but it didn’t really work. I participated in all the interviews and said what I said,” he added.

“I know he [Tierney] doesn’t do it on purpose, but we have a history, that’s undeniable.

“I’m not an angry person at all, but those nice things that happened in crucial games in the past. They didn’t happen on purpose, but they’re still there. “The referees are really angry about what I said. I shouldn’t have said some things. 

Klopp was handed a one-match ban after being sent off against Manchester City in October for verbal abuse of the assistant referee after the Football Association (FA) appealed against the original penalty.

He was also fined £30,000 and warned of his future behaviour.

The history between Klopp and Tierney

In 2020, Tierney reportedly told Klopp to “get over it” after the referee admitted he missed a foul on Georginio Wijnaldum in a match against Aston Villa.

Tierney was also responsible for a Liverpool match at Tottenham in December 2021 when Spurs forward Harry Kane narrowly escaped a red card before Liverpool left-back Andrew Robertson was sent off. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, which saw the Reds lose ground to Manchester City in the Premier League title race.

Tierney was also the referee when Everton were denied a late penalty in a 1-0 loss to Manchester City in February 2022.

City midfielder Rodri appeared to control the ball with his arm and while Tierney and video assistant referee Chris Kavanagh didn’t think it was worth a penalty, former PGMOL boss Mike Riley later apologized to the Toffees for the decision.

Liverpool missed out on the Premier League title by one point against City this season.

In January this year, after losing to Brentford, Klopp said he contacted officials – including Tierney – to discuss the decisions made during the match. “It’s exactly like if you talk to my microwave, you don’t get an answer, really, it’s the same all the time,” he told beIN Sports.

Earlier this month, Liverpool’s Tierney Robertson was booked after an incident with assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis.