Thiago or Alonso?

[Jose Jones]

Two top men.  Who do you reckon is (or was) the better player?

[Freddo]

Got to be thiago for me as much as I loved xabi. Only thing I'd say is was xabi on the pitch more? 

Thiago I think just oozes class, he sees things so quickly, those passes that are pinpoint between '' the lines '' are something else. 

This allows us to transition into the attacking areas much quicker. 

Both incredible players. 

[HBenn]

What a player Alonso was! His long range passing was probably better than Thiago's.  His penalty against Milan showed his ability to play with either foot and his celebration how to survive strangulation!

All that said Thiago probably edges it for me. His vision and ability to play a killer pass are phenomenal. He brings us up to another level. Imagine what he would do with Mascherano and Gerrard around him. Frightening!!

[Scott_M]

I’m abstaining. 
 

Two of the most talented players to ever play for the club. 
 

I think it might be Thiago, we need to see him on the pitch more (although Alonoso had a few big-ish injury problems as well). 
 

Xabi stood out in a poorer team, Thiago stands out in one of the best sides we’ve ever had.

 

I will say both were better than Charlie Adam. 

[Numero Veinticinco]

Thiago. 

[KMD7]

Thiago by a fair bit though I loved Xabi.

[Tony Moanero]

Jan Molby

[an tha]

Alonso

 

Because he was simply more reliable and available fitness wise.

 

Thiago is the better footballer - but someone who is unavailable so much is in my opinion less attractive than someone who is still top quality only a slight drop off, but more reliable.

[Barrington Womble]

Not even close. 

[coachpotato]

Not seen enough of Thiago on the pitch really, so it’s close, but Xabi for me as he always seemed to be in space and was like a quarter back, passing it short or long and he could score from our own half!

[Section_31]

Good question but Alonso for me, more of an athlete and played in much poorer teams. Also, that beard * swoon * . He'd be in my top side of the last 20 years, despite all the competition for places. 

[Kevin D]

Sickening.

[Section_31]

Did enjoy Thiago vs the mancs though, I have to say.

 

 

[Moo]

Alonso without even a moment's hesitation. Better in every aspect.

[HBenn]

55 minutes ago, an tha said:

Alonso

 

Because he was simply more reliable and available fitness wise.

 

Thiago is the better footballer - but someone who is unavailable so much is in my opinion less attractive than someone who is still top quality only a slight drop off, but more reliable.

Yes, agree with this. 

 

From a purely footballing point of view Thiago is probably the better player but in terms of who you would prefer to have in your squad. I would prefer to have the player that plays 8-9 times out of 10 than one that does 5-6.

[Joey8FrogsLegs]

Two brilliant footballers and two of the best passers of a ball that’s been here the last 40 years. 

 

They are also quite similar imo, a lack of pace probably the main weakness for both of them. Also both of them seemed to enjoy a challenge, and won their fair share both on the ground and in the air. And both great at reading the game and intercepting play.

 

Thiago slightly more creative and better in the final third, and Alonso slightly better at dictating the game by always choosing the right pass at the right time. 
 

Alonso edges it for me, mainly because of that ability to control games. But very close, two great players.

[TD_LFC]

Thiago is a far more talented footballer, but I miss Alonso.

[cloggypop]

Thiago needs to tweet more Velvet Underground 

 

 

[Babb'sBurstNad]

Depends what the rest of the midfield looks like. You wouldn't want to rely on Thiago to provide the steel in there, or Alonso the creativity.

[Duff Man]

Dribbling, tackling, and fitness are the areas where there's most separation, imo, but still not much in it overall. Probably give it to Alonso.

 

I'll never forget being at the Reebok for Alonso's debut. Just watching him warm up you could tell he was class.

[Street Preacher]

I saw a lot more of Xabi as I watched more of our games back then. 

Both amazing, technical footballers that I don't think we've had enough of over the last couple of decades. 

[Jimmy Hills Chin]

3 hours ago, Tony Moanero said:

Jan Molby

Could pass the ball as well as either of them with both feet and scored some wonderful goals. All great, great players but a regular weight and fit Jan Molby could have been an all time great.

[aRdja]

In terms of pure footballing ability then Thiago, but Xabi was probably a better leader and definitely less brittle. 

[dave u]

This is like having to choose between George Michael solo and George Michael Wham.

 

I can't do it and I won't do it. Both are brilliant.

[TheHowieLama]

Play them both.