Liverpool have suffered yet another potential injury blow with the news that Thiago could miss Monday's crucial Premier League clash with Everton.
The Lowdown: Thiago a mainstay this season
The 31-year-old has been renowned for being an injury-prone player in his career, but in fairness has been one of the Reds' mainstays this season.
Thiago has started 14 of his side's Premier League matches and 22 in all competitions, often holding the midfield together while the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson have struggled.
He has averaged 2.9 tackles per game in the league, which is more than any Liverpool player, as well as having the second-highest interception tally (1.3) behind Ibrahima Konate (1.8).
The Latest: Spaniard could miss out
Taking to Twitter on Friday, the reliable Joyce revealed that Thiago could miss Monday's must-win Merseyside derby clash with Everton with a hip issue:
"Thiago Alcantara struggling with a hip injury for Liverpool ahead of Merseyside derby."
The Verdict: Potential huge blow
This would be an enormous blow for Liverpool, with Thiago the one midfielder who still has plenty of credit this season, so often being surrounded by struggling teammates and still mustering an 89% pass completion rate in the Champions League.
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Andy Robertson has described his £200,000-a-week-earning colleague as a 'special' player in the past year and his ability to dictate a game, bite into tackles and make line-breaking passes is arguably unrivalled in the Reds' squad.
Not having Thiago available against an Everton side who are likely to stick ten men behind the ball would hamper Klopp's plans greatly and also force him to start one of the out-of-form Fabinho or Henderson.
This is a reminder of his injury-prone nature, however, and with his 32nd birthday approaching, it is hard to rely on him as a long-term member of Liverpool's midfield.