Fab Fabinho

It’s been a slow start for Fabinho since his move from Monaco, but it seems like Klopp’s patience is paying off — once more. Similarly to players before him like Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho’s game time early on in his Liverpool career has been limited. From what you read, Klopp has instead used the time on the training ground to get him up to speed with the English game.

Strangely, in between sitting on the bench for the Reds, Fabinho has been turning out for Brazil at right-back. Good news for a Liverpool team that requires fluidity, versatility and flexibility.

Fabinho’s first major outing was against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup. I’d say it was a reasonable display, getting better as the game went on.

Last night, however, was the first taste of what could be. It’s important to not get too carried away given the opposition, but his performance had a bit of everything — carrying the ball, slide tackles, headers, interceptions, pinpoint passing, positional awareness and leadership.

Fabinho’s game by numbers vs. Red Star:

96 touches72 (90%) passes completed9 (75%) tackles6 (100%) aerial duels won2 chances created1 interception

1 clearance

If he continues in that vein, Klopp will have a serious selection headache on his hands when Milner, Keita and Henderson are all fully fit.

It was a majestic individual performance and a much-improved team performance. A big win, a clean sheet, the top spot in Champs League Group C, no injuries, goals for the big 3… It couldn’t really have gone better.

If you want to relive his best moments, check out our video here.

Originally published at thereddebate.com on October 25, 2018.