West Brom 1-2 Liverpool: 5 talking points as Liverpool stay alive in Champions League race | Premier League 2020-21

#2 Thiago Alcantara showing his class and pulling the strings from midfield

this means more. @LFC pic.twitter.com/TU6I9dBlp2

— Thiago Alcantara (@Thiago6) May 16, 2021

A player who has been widely disrespected since arriving in the Premier League, Thiago Alcantara, as always, showed his class when Liverpool needed it the most.

The Spaniard has been one of Liverpool's better players this underwhelming season as he continues to do what he is world class at: control the game.

With five long balls completed and four tackles, Thiago was top notch with the ball at his feet as he constantly disrupted West Brom's deep block.

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#1 Will Liverpool make it into the top four?

West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool - Premier League

The prospect of world class, talented players like Salah, Thiago, Alexander Arnold, Robertson, Mane, etc playing in the Europa League would be a painful sight for neutral football fans. With Chelsea losing back-to-back games, including an FA Cup final, Liverpool are poised to qualify for the top four considering Chelsea travel to Leicester City next.

While Leicester City aren't safe just yet either, as they only have a 3-point lead over Liverpool and a two-point lead over Chelsea, which could vanish within one defeat due to their poor goal difference.

The Reds have had a disheartening season. Injuries to their key starters Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip & Jordan Henderson pulled them back. The likes of Fabinho, Thiago and Keita struggled to keep themselves fit, battling niggling injuries constantly.

Jurgen Klopp has had an injury-ridden squad at his disposal and it would be some story if the German head coach secures a top four finish with Rhys Williams and Nathaniel Phillips as his starting defenders for the majority of the season.