Klopp Happy With Thiago’s Return To Action

Thiago had not featured for the Reds since suffering a knee injury in the Merseyside derby against Everton on October 17.

The 29-year-old Spain international’s appearance against the Magpies was just his third for Liverpool since a summer move from European champions Bayern Munich.

Thiago impressed in his 17 minutes of action after coming on for veteran James Milner, and Klopp was delighted to have his gifted playmaker back.

"We signed Thiago actually because we thought he was a good player, so you can imagine we would like to have him in the team. That's clear," Klopp told reporters during his post-match news conference.

"What the other boys did in the time he was not available is absolutely incredible. James Milner, for example, tonight played a super game in midfield. Really. So, yes, it's good [he is back], he is a super player. I think of the 20 minutes, 12 round about were brilliant and then he felt the intensity, but that's normal. He trained exactly twice with the team. There is still some physical work to do, still some rhythm to get.

"[Xherdan] Shaqiri is back and that's, by the way, the best news tonight – the boys are back and, as far as I know in the moment, nobody got injured tonight, which is a very important thing. That means we can probably go with the same squad to Southampton."

Liverpool concluded 2020 three points clear of second placed Manchester United, who have a game in hand.