For the majority of the season, Fabinho has been forced into becoming a central defender. He hasn’t looked out of place or out of sorts, either. But the midfield, in his absence, has. So, last night when Fabinho took to his number six throne in the midfield trio once more, a sigh of relief could be heard all around the Liverpool camp. One thing was made clear and that is the fact that Fabinho is the key.
Alongside Thiago Alcantara and Georginio Wijnaldum, the Brazilian turned a sinking ship into one with one less leak in its armoury. He dominated and dictated the game. All of a sudden, Liverpool looked recognisable.
Fabinho blocked out any chance or any thought of a collapse. He acted as the shield to any negativity, a shield the Reds have been crying out for. Gone were the restraints of central defence, instead replaced by the freedom to control the game.
For the first time since a 7-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace, Liverpool looked like dominant champions. As Liverpool eased to victory, those that say the game is won and lost in midfield were proven right last night.
Fabinho the Key to Liverpool Positivity
Fabinho the Key to Unlocking Best of Thiago
When Liverpool signed Thiago Alcantara in the summer, it felt like a real difference-maker. He was the first marquee signing under Jurgen Klopp. He was the player to complete the package of back to back champions.
And then the injury curse struck; responsibility suddenly fell on the Spaniard’s shoulders to decide the game for Liverpool in midfield whilst playing in front of auxiliary central defenders. It was mission impossible for a player entering a new side, a new country in lockdown.
Yet, in truth, a few disappointing performances too many were leaving Liverpool fans with unanswered questions about the Spaniard’s quality. Thiago was crying out for someone to release him from the responsibility of the six role. And that man was always going to be Fabinho.
Klopp had the biggest of decisions to make in a do or die moment, and he chose the correct one. He turned many Liverpool dreams into a reality by finally combining Thiago and Fabinho, and boy did it pay off.
He trusted Ozan Kabak and Nat Phillips to keep Leipzig quiet should they break through the wall of Fabinho standing high. In reality, the defenders needn’t worry. Very rarely did Leipzig break down that protective screen.
And whilst the defensive side was handled, the attacking play thrived once more. Fabinho proved he is one of the best in the game at intercepting before recycling the ball. Thiago, in turn, highlighted his ability to unlock defences.
By the end of the game, Fabinho had the most interceptions, made two clearances, completed three tackles and kept a passing accuracy of 70%. Not to be outdone, Thiago came away with six tackles, the most in the game, a 79% pass accuracy, two clearances and one kung-fu kicking chance created.
It was the midfield duo’s game. The rest were just taking part and watching on in awe.
Fabinho Back in Midfield Must Be the Way Forward
Liverpool’s Premier League season may be unsalvageable at this point, but, in one way, that could be a positive for Klopp. It gives him time to experiment, hands the likes of Kabak and Phillips an opportunity and, ultimately, betters the Reds for the future.
And, for the remainder of the season, Klopp must persist with Fabinho in midfield. What does he have to lose in doing so? In fact, as alluded to before, he has much more to gain in placing the Brazilian back in his desired role.
Fabinho is the key to any further success, especially in the Champions League.
Many will right Liverpool off of securing number seven due to their Premier League form. But, as the saying goes, it is those that have nothing to lose who pose the biggest threat. And Liverpool have nothing more to lose and everything to gain.
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