Ex-Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara has finally explained his viral touchline exchange with Darwin Nunez and Jurgen Klopp during a dramatic victory over Tottenham in 2023
Special guest Thiago Alcántara on stage during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Knockout Round Play-offs Draw at the UEFA Headquarters
Former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara(Image: Photo by Kristian Skeie - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara has set the record straight on his infamous touchline discussion with Darwin Nunez back in the 2022/23 season.
The incident occurred in April 2023 in a game Jurgen Klopp 's Liverpool won 4-3 against Tottenham. The Reds initially found themselves 3-0 up after 15 minutes following goals from Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.
However, a flurry of goals from Spurs, including strikes from Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Richarlison, ensured the score was level with just minutes left to play. By some miracle, Liverpool clinched a last-gasp winner through the late Diogo Jota.
But it was arguably a moment that occurred in the 73rd minute that was most talked about. Nunez was preparing to replace Cody Gakpo, and Klopp spent a good five minutes giving instructions to the striker.
Thiago, who was injured at the time, stood alongside them in the technical area before giving his teammate a few final words, presumably translating some of what was said by the manager. Klopp initially stared in bewilderment as Thiago made his way back to the bench to join the rest of Liverpool's injured players, before laughing at the occurrence.
Now, Thiago has explained exactly what happened as he sat down at the AXA Training Centre this week to interview current Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola, who himself mentioned he'd even seen the viral clip.
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"It’s about the message you give to a player in a moment," he began.
Darwin Nunez of Liverpool with Thiago Alcantara of Liverpool before the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield on November 12, 2022
Thiago and Darwin Nunez played alongside each other at Liverpool(Image: Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
"Klopp in that moment, we are both not calm, because the coach in that moment isn’t that. But you have more words, and for a player in that time it’s about ‘leave me to play. I just want to get in.’
"I just try to optimise the conversation and say ‘okay, these words will help with them.'"
Thiago, who retired from professional football in 2024 at the age of 33 shortly after his Liverpool departure, has long been tipped to venture into management, especially given the plethora of top coaches he worked under with the Reds, at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
The former Spain international did spend last season as part of Hansi Flick's coaching staff at Barcelona as the club stormed to a La Liga title. After he moved on in the summer, there were some tentative rumors he could join Liverpool's coaching staff under Iraola, but such a move never transpired.
While Thiago's recent visit to Merseyside has prompted fresh rumors about a return, as things stand, he is unable to take on such a role. He confirmed in an interview with Rio Ferdinand back in July that he does not yet have the required badges to be a coach.