Liverpool fans were saddened to see one club icon's career come to an end in unfortunate circumstances, which saw the star in question reduced to tears once he realised the truth

Thiago Alcantara has recalled crying the moment he realised his days as a Liverpool player were over.

The Spaniard arrived at Anfield in 2020 to much fanfare but struggled to consistently display his best due to recurring injuries. The Reds were Premier League champions when Jurgen Klopp brought Thiago to Merseyside from old rivals Bayern Munich.

The playmaker went on to win the FA Cup and League Cup as a Liverpool player, as well as reaching the Champions League final in 2022. After undergoing hip surgery in the summer of 2023, Thiago missed almost the entirety of his fourth and final season at Anfield before being forced into an agonising decision.

"I think the last game I played with Liverpool, against Arsenal, I didn't mean to play [or wasn't supposed to]," he told The Athletic. "[It] was not in the medical doctor's schedule that I had to play but Jurgen asked me if I wanted to travel with the team, because as a player and a person, it would be a good impact to the team.

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"I was on the bench and suddenly [Klopp said], 'You want to play?' I say, 'If I came here, yes, I want to play.' I wasn't ready to play...and suddenly after five minutes of playing, I pulled my hamstring for the first time in my career. And I knew that was career-ending, because I was struggling a lot with injuries.

"After that it took me time. I cried in the game, I cried after. But then it's just to get in peace with yourself."

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Many fans may mourn what might have been had Thiago managed to stave off injuries during his time in England. After winning Champions League titles and many other major crowns with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Liverpool fans knew they'd signed a world-beater back in 2020.

A cup double with the Reds two years later served as the highlight of his Anfield stint but should have been just the start. However, that may not end up being the end of his Liverpool CV.

Thiago was barely retired when he made his first move into coaching back at Barcelona. He served as assistant to Hansi Flick in two separate stints before leaving after the club won its second straight league title earlier this year.

He's also sparked hopes of potentially returning to Merseyside some day in a different capacity. Thiago was pictured at the club's AXA Training Centre earlier this year, where he held talks with manager and countryman Andoni Iraola.

Although there has been no confirmation of an official role, many will hope it's the first sign of a potential reunion. Speaking to Rio Ferdinand in July, Thiago said he couldn't join Liverpool's coaching staff because he lacks the required badges.

That may change in future, however, as he looks to join compatriots like Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso in trying his hand as a Premier League chief. And there's one destination in particular at which Thiago has a lot of unfinished business.