The hardest opponent he has yet to face was Thiago Alcantara of Liverpool, according to West Ham United midfielder Mohammed Kudus. Last year, when the Reds played Ajax in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League, the two players squared off. Both players started the opening game at Anfield, which the home team won 2-1. Kudus praised Thiago, saying it was “difficult” to play against the Spaniard in that match.
The 32-year-old Thiago has yet to play for Liverpool this season as he recovers from an injury he sustained in April of last year, the Ghanaian said when JD Football asked him to name his toughest opponent. Next summer, when his deal with the Reds expires, he is expected to become a free agent and leave Anfield. Thiago, a player renowned for his technical skill, has contributed six assists and three goals in 97 games for Liverpool since joining from Bayern Munich in 2020.
Meanwhile, Kudus, who transferred from Ajax to West Ham in the summer, has scored twice in eight appearances for them across competitions. In their 3-1 loss to the Reds in September, he made an appearance off the bench. The Reds had a disappointing 2022–23 season, finishing without a trophy and fifth in the Premier League standings. They have improved this season, suffering just one loss in 11 games across all competitions. Liverpool is in the lead of its UEFA Europa League group and has advanced to the fourth round of the EFL Cup. They are three points behind league leaders Tottenham Hotspur in fourth place in the Premier League. In addition to reflecting on the Reds’ season thus far, defender Joel Matip is adamant about fighting for every trophy available this year. He concluded by saying that it is encouraging to know that we still possess the ability to turn things around. But as a defender, I hope we can win some games while maintaining some clean sheets.
“. On Saturday, October 21, Jurgen Klopp’s team will play again in the Premier League when they host Everton in the Merseyside Derby.
