Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has revealed how stand-in defender Fabinho has helped to improve the Reds defence, despite the continued absence of Virgil Van Dijk.
When the news filtered through that the former Celtic colossus would most likely miss the remainder of the season after suffering a knee injury in the Merseyside derby draw back in October, many feared that the Reds title defence was well and truly over.
However, despite continued defensive injuries, the champions have kicked on in the Dutchman’s absence, winning six and drawing one of their last seven games in all competitions since that controversial encounter at Goodison Park.
Liverpool‘s most recent victory saw them ease past potential title challengers Leicester City, with the Reds keeping a clean sheet as the returning Fabinho put in a stellar defensive display.
The Brazilian international has endured his own injury problems in recent weeks, yet in his few showings at the heart of defence he already looks to have eased the huge loss of Van Dijk.
That latest performance was particularly impressive, with former Reds defender Carragher stating that the 27-year-old has made a huge difference to Jurgen Klopp’s defence, after some shaky defensive displays early on this season.
”Itโs an outstanding job from the players who have actually come in,โ Carragher told Sky Sports.
MNF analysis of @LFC defending without VVD! Liverpool played against Jamie Vardy one of the quickest strikers in #PremierLeague did they defend deeper? NO!
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) November 24, 2020
โWhen Liverpool went out [against Leicester], people said they would completely change. That they would drop off 10 or 15 yards. I watch a lot of Liverpoolโs games and I didnโt quite see it.
โIโve analysed how they played against Vardy and no one can tell me Liverpool dropped off 10 or 15 yards without Van Dijk. They were still playing a high line, but the difference is the body position the likes of Fabinho adopted.
โYes, we can talk about him being a midfield player in there, but heโs been outstanding. What he did was play a high line but be ready to run back when the ball went over his head. He ran back and dealt with it.
โWhen we talk about Van Dijk, letโs not forget heโs been part of a back four for the last couple of years that has had the best defensive record in the league, and Iโm sure that wouldโve been the case this season with him.
โBut there was no doubt Liverpool had huge problems at the start of the season. They conceded three at home against Leeds and then there was obviously the game against Aston Villa.
โWe have spoken a lot on Monday Night Football about Liverpoolโs line and itโs difficult at times to criticise a team that have a great defensive record and have been so successful.
โThere were times when Iโd look at the line and think โrun backโ. Certainly, in the Aston Villa game, where obviously Liverpool got it massively wrong.
โAt times it was not so much about how high the line was, it was just the fact that I always felt that Liverpoolโs defenders needed to be in a position to actually run back. โJust run back and match the run. Weโre in a decent line, okay they have beat the press and have time on the ball, letโs just give ourselves two or three yards.’ Thatโs all it was.”
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The process by which Muzzy Izzet was accepted into the Turkish setup was… unusual ????????????
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— The Football Faithful (@FootyFaithful_) November 23, 2020