Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp never had any doubts over Thiago Alcantara's suitability for his team despite criticism last season over how he impacted their style.
The Spain international has been in brilliant form in the last couple of weeks, with his impressive performance in the first half of last weekend's FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester City followed by a masterclass against Manchester United in midweek.
It was around this time last year the 29-year-old came into his own as he helped orchestrate their drive to Champions League qualification, something which looked unlikely in the March and has again taken centre stage as they pursue an unprecedented quadruple.