Thiago Alcantara is "more suited to Manchester United", according to Paul Scholes, who claims the Liverpool star is not a "Jurgen Klopp-type player".
Much was expected of Thiago when he arrived at Anfield for £20 million ($28m) from Bayern Munich in the summer, but he has so far struggled to live up to expectations in the famous red shirt.
It has been suggested that the Spain international has slowed Liverpool down in the final third while playing on the right of a midfield three, with Scholes of the opinion that he would fit in better at United in a more central role.
What has been said?
The United legend told Premier League Productions of Thiago's best position: "The way Liverpool play with the three in midfield, I don’t think he has great legs about him, so that central role would suit him down to the ground.
"Once you are in a wider position in the three, it’s very difficult to get around the pitch because he’s not that type of player.
"He just needs to be sat in the middle. Controlling things, bringing players into play and that’s what he’s good at – I just wonder if this way of playing that Liverpool play is suited to his style of football.
"He doesn’t seem a Jurgen Klopp type player, does he? You think of the midfield players he has got and the forward players. Everything is 100 miles per hour.
"I thought he would have been more suited to a Manchester United team. In a two in midfield with a holding player, really good strong defensive player, where he can sit and control games.
"Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool, I don’t see them controlling games. I see them going for the throat in teams. He hasn’t got that energy to really overpower midfield players."
Thiago's record at Liverpool in 2020-21
Thiago took time to settle into his new surroundings on Merseyside amid injury issues and a spell out due to coronavirus, but has been a regular in Klopp's starting XI since the turn of the year.
The 29-year-old has featured in 16 games for Liverpool across all competitions to date, but has yet to provide a single goal or assist, with his latest blank coming in a 2-0 win at Sheffield United on Sunday.
The bigger picture
Thiago signed a four-year contract with the Reds when he joined the club in September, meaning he still has plenty of time to turn his career at Anfield around.
Klopp clearly trusts in the ex-Bayern star's ability and his experience in the middle of the park could prove vital as Liverpool continue to chase down a top-four finish and Champions League glory.
Keeping hold of Thiago beyond the current season could also be important in terms of overall squad depth, with it reported that Georginio Wijnaldum is set to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of June.