Thiago Alcantara explains reason for retirement after making Liverpool return

Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara has explained why he retired from soccer at the end of last season — and outlined what his plan is for the future now he has some more free time.

"I miss being around the team and the locker room," he told Liverpool's official website . "I miss the competitive part of the game. The decision [to retire] was forced by physical issues. But I’m just keeping fit and trying to play as much as I can with my friends, and trying to be alive in the game."

Thiago spent the summer working with Hansi Flick's coaching team at Barcelona but that arrangement has now come to an end . It was always going to be for a couple of months with Thiago's ability to speak both German and Spanish deemed useful as well as his vast experience playing at the top of the game.

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"At the end I had the chance to get into football again, helping the coaching staff of Barcelona," he said. "I decided for the practical part, not for the theory — just because of the experience I had doing all these years in football and the kind of role I had in the team.

"I just want to pass it through to other players. I love to help new players as well, young players to develop under the coach. It was pretty good spirits."

On being back at Anfield for the first time since leaving, Thiago added: "It’s always been a goal to be at this stadium not just as a player but also as a fan. I had the fortune — life gave me the chance — to be here for four years as a football player.

"I believe it was one of the best times of my life as well. Now I have the chance any time being such a warm welcome from the fans, and the players as well. It’s a pretty good time to be here."

Liverpool.com says: The Reds could have done with a player like Thiago on the field against Nottingham Forest as they struggled to break down a packed defensive structure. The likes of Dominik Szoboszlai were miles off the pace and Harvey Elliott is currently sidelined with an injury that is expected to keep him out until the end of October.