Liverpool hero Didi Hamann stands by his criticism of Thiago Alcantara.

Prior to the defeat to Burnley last week, Hamann claimed that Thiago slows things down too much for Liverpool and does not suit their style of play.

And when asked if he still believes that, Hamann insisted that he felt his comments were justified, but admitted that he was likely to improve when he is fully fit again.

“Of course we'll see a better Thiago because he hasn't played much, he's been injured," Hamann told Stadium Astro.

“We've seen some of the best players in Europe take a few weeks or a few months to adapt to the English game so I think we will see a better Thiago.

“I wasn't talking about last week's game or the Burnley game where I made a comment beforehand.

“I think Liverpool's always been a team that's played the ball forward quickly.

“I know teams sit back against them, but that doesn't mean slowing the game down helps Liverpool.

“I think what will happen now with Thiago in the team, as we've seen, Thiago is a player who always wants to be in possession, that's why he's got 120 touches on the ball in a game.

“When he wants the ball, I think the defenders, the full-backs will be inclined to give him the ball because they know he's a playmaker, he wants to be on the ball.

“I think the time they lose by giving him the ball is time they lose giving it to Salah or Mane quickly.

“Liverpool has always been at their most devastating when the ball has got to Mane or Salah quickly because the earlier they get the ball, the more chance they've got to turn and run at a defender.

“Mane and Salah are simply almost unstoppable when they're running at a defender with pace.

“This is why I said, I think the dynamics of the team will change and I'm not sure the dynamics of the team will change for the better with him the team.

“He's a brilliant player, there's no doubt about it, but whether he's a player Liverpool needs, I'm not really sure."