Former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara has heaped praise on departing Reds duo Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson
Thiago Alcantara has had his say on Salah and Robertson(Image: Sky Sports News)
Former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara has showered praise on departing Reds pair Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson. Thiago left Anfield when his deal ran out at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
The former Spain international confirmed his retirement from professional football in July 2025 before linking up with Hansi Flick’s backroom team at Barcelona as an assistant coach in September that year. The 35-year-old was hampered by injuries throughout his spell on Merseyside and managed just one brief five-minute cameo during his final season at Liverpool.
Thiago lifted the FA Cup and League Cup alongside Salah and Robertson under Jurgen Klopp. Now, both Salah and Robertson are preparing to bid farewell this summer to Liverpool.
And former Barcelona and Bayern Munich star Thiago was effusive in his admiration for both players when questioned about them by Sky Sports News ahead of Monday’s Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid. He said: “They are legends of the club, they’re amazing football players.
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“It doesn’t matter where they go. They will still be amazing football players.”
Thiago was then asked about his views on how Salah’s troubled final season at Anfield has unfolded. He added: “I haven’t been there, so I couldn’t have an opinion about it, but Mo deserves the best.”
Thiago has previously opened up about his difficult decision to hang up his boots after leaving the Reds. “After such a long struggle to become a footballer – then to become the footballer I wanted to be – the hardest step was accepting that it was coming to an end,” he admitted.
“It wasn’t difficult because of what would come next. But because I had to let go of something I was in love with, due to circumstances beyond my control.
Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah have been team-mates for nine years(Image: Getty Images)
“It was difficult. But I had to find that peace with myself, that acceptance and pride for the career I had.”
Thiago recently returned to Anfield to play in the Liverpool Legends game alongside the likes of John Aldridge, Steven Gerrard and Jurgen Klopp. He said: “It’s amazing. Two things got together – that is a full Anfield and playing with this legend [Gerrard]. It was an unbelievable moment and I will keep it with me for sure.
“When I scored, Stevie came and I told him it was the first sprinting I did since I arrived in Liverpool! Why not?! In that moment we just react, we are comfortable in the box. It’s nice to score.”
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