Winning a quadruple of major trophies this season has been described by many as almost impossible. If they do achieve it, there will be a reason in the form of one man in recent weeks: Thiago Alcantara.

The Spaniard has stepped up at just the right time for the Reds, producing man-of-the-match performances on an almost weekly basis as they chase success in the Premier League and European competition to add to their FA Cup and League Cup wins.

Thiago helped the Reds to the FA Cup on Saturday and has been excellent in the Premier League as his side have kept up the pressure on Manchester City at the top of the table.

Thiago has found his best form after a slow start to his career, which is helping to propel an already exceptional side to the next level.

'A beautiful player to watch' - Thiago shines in Liverpool evolution

Liverpool midfielder Thiago
Thiago has been the best player on the pitch in numerous games this year

When Thiago was signed by the club for a relatively small amount of money, it was hailed as an incredible bit of business.

One of the best players in the world at the time was this player, who had won multiple league titles and other trophies at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Thiago's impact was hampered by contracting Covid-19 soon after his arrival, as well as his injuries.

When he was fit enough to play, some questioned whether he suited Liverpool's style of play, with former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann saying in 2021 he "made their midfield worse" because he slowed things down too much.

The Reds have evolved over time to be more in tune with the way Thiago plays.

When you are asked to go through the middle, who is the one who is comfortable doing the short passes and short moves? Guillem Balague, a Spanish football journalist, said that it was Thiago.

Thiago is helping the Reds be better because he is completely comfortable doing that kind of football.

He is the man of control when you have a team that drops deep.

I was wondering what he was going to do when he moved toLiverpool. I think he is the ideal player for the team. The evolution of the team is due to the fact that he put a bit ofPep in it.

He is a beautiful player to watch.

Game intelligence and incredible statistics

Thiago against Villarreal
Thiago produced one of his best Liverpool performances in the Champions League semi-final first-leg win against Villarreal

Thiago's current statistics speak for themselves.

Thiago has started 36 games for the Reds and they have only lost once, in the last 16 second leg of the European Championship, when they were beaten by Inter Milan.

Thiago was missing for six of the 11 games that the Reds have failed to win this season.

Thiago completed more passes in the 2-0 win against the Toffees in the derby than the entire team, while in the first leg of the competition he had a passing accuracy of 98%.

The passes were not just over five yards, with many coming in the final third and nine long-ball efforts going straight to their target.

I think sometimes those statistics can be misleading - the 98% from players who give it five, 10 yards, and the 98% from players who don't give it at all.

He won the ball, he hit it 30, 40 yards or he played it through the lines. He isn't someone who passes sideways and backwards.

Rio Ferdinand says that Thiago has excelled in recent games.

He said it was there for everyone to see.

It always comes off when he practises and tests things out on this stage.

The Reds have two games left in the season, one in the premier league and the other in the final.

Manchester City are still favorites for the title despite drawing at West Ham United, even though they won a quadruple in English football.

In the final, Luka Modric and the rest of the Croatian team will likely face off against the best of the German team.

The pair dominated the tie between the sides last year but with Thiago in imperious form, they believe they can dictate the pace of the game and claim what could be a fourth trophy of the season.

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