At 29 and reluctant to sign a new contract, Bayern realised they might have to sell. Liverpool are now ready to pounce and it is easy to see why the move might appeal. Jurgen Klopp’s side can do almost anything. But they cannot do what Thiago can do.

“Liverpool’s squad is fine in most areas,” Jamie Carragher recently told Sky Sports. “But l think there are a couple of glaring areas where it should be better than it is.”

Which is what makes the link with Thiago so fascinating.

He is the Spanish pass master with Brazilian roots and a Barcelona upbringing. A man at home in the midfield hot house, seemingly born to work in those tight spaces.

Pep Guardiola gave him his professional debut and it shows. He was the one who first took him to Munich. “He is the only player I want,” said Guardiola at the time. “It will be him or no one.”

That was seven Bundesliga titles ago. A period in which Thiago has become a symbol of the shift as Bayern have totally dominated the league – and with it the football.

He might be seen as a Guardiola player, but he is now expected to find himself in a Klopp team. Even though the German has adapted his own approach in recent years, there remains a difference. Perhaps that is the whole idea. Thiago brings new qualities.

He averaged 82.6 completed passes per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga this past season – the most of any regular midfielder. He had a pass completion rate in excess of 90 per cent – an accuracy level that does not really reflect the range of his passing with both feet.