Thiago Alcantara has been dealt yet another injury blow this week, despite only just making his return from the sidelines, and the true cost of his injury layoffs this season has since been revealed.
Alcantara made his return to the Liverpool side on Sunday for the first time since April last year – a 10 month layoff – where he came off the bench in the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.
The Spanish midfielder managed just 13 minutes of action on his return – and it looks to be his last involvement for some time after he once again suffered a bitter injury blow.
On Thursday it was announced that the reported £200,000-a-week midfielder had come down with a muscle injury that now leaves his inclusion in doubt for the rest of the season.
With his contract up at the end of the campaign, fans may have already seen the last of the Spanish international, who has cost the club a considerable amount of money this term for little input on the pitch.
Thiago Alcantara has been struck with yet another injury as his nightmare continues at Anfield
![Klopp's side have been without the Spanish maestro for the most part since April last year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/08/16/81025793-13061901-image-a-35_1707410191839.jpg)
Klopp’s side have been without the Spanish maestro for the most part since April last year
![He featured for just 13 minutes off the bench in the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/08/16/81025791-13061901-image-a-36_1707410245649.jpg)
He featured for just 13 minutes off the bench in the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday
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As a result of his hefty wages, Alcantara has in fact cost Liverpool some £5.2million for just five minutes of work all season.
It comes with Alcantara having missed 107 games through injury for club and country since his arrival on Merseyside.
The Spain star – who has also not featured for La Roja since 2021 – signed for £25m in the summer of 2020, and has only played 98 times for the Reds in that time in all competitions.
Different hamstring, thigh and knee problems have restricted him to 51 Premier League starts though he remains a cult figure with The Kop because of his silky skills and passing range.
While there is no indication that the injury is long-term, there has also been no suggestion that he might be back sooner rather than later.
Thiago is regarded as one of the best technical players of his generation and has also played for Barcelona and Bayern.
But injuries have denied him the opportunity of showing his best form in the Premier League.
![Thiago had worked hard to regain fitness having suffered the hip injury in April last year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/08/16/81014107-13061901-Thiago_had_worked_hard_to_regain_fitness_having_suffered_the_hip-a-37_1707410466122.jpg)
Thiago had worked hard to regain fitness having suffered the hip injury in April last year
![Alcantara has not appeared for Spain since they lost to Italy on penalties in the Euro 2020 semis](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/08/16/81026405-13061901-image-a-38_1707410494332.jpg)
Alcantara has not appeared for Spain since they lost to Italy on penalties in the Euro 2020 semis
Thiago is likely to leave Liverpool when his contract runs out in the summer but sources have tried to dampen fears this latest injury could mean he’s already played his last game for the club.
His latest absence adds to Jurgen Klopp’s selection problems for Saturday’s game against Burnley.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Stefan Bajcetic, Ben Doak, Joel Matip, Mo Salah and Kostas Tsimikas are injured with central defender Ibrahima Konate suspended after his red card in the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal.
Liverpool will be boosted however by the return of holding midfielder Wataru Endo whose Asian Cup commitments are over following Japan’s exit.