Shane Clancy
Jurgen Klopp fielded questions regarding what position The Reds’ summer signing Fabinho would play against Manchester United on Sunday.
Fabinho has proved to be an astute signing for Liverpool after initially being introduced to the first-team very gradually at Anfield.
On Tuesday night, the former AS Monaco player put in another fine performance against FC Bayern as a stand-in centre-half in place of the suspended Virgil van Dijk.
Klopp acknowledged Fabinho’s ability to play in defence but was under no illusion as to where his best and most natural position is for the team.
“His natural position is midfield but he can play centre-half and that makes him valuable for us,” Klopp said at his pre-match press conference.
“We will see what happens but he is a midfielder and we will use him more in that position.”
With Liverpool missing both Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez for Sunday’s game at Old Trafford, Klopp will have to decide on a central-defensive pairing from Joel Matip, Fabinho and Van Dijk.
It sounds, however, like it will be Matip and Van Dijk at the back with Fabinho providing cover at the base of midfield, just in front of them.
Klopp has grown to appreciate Fabinho’s versatility amid Liverpool’s defensive injury crisis since December and, as a result, the Brazilian’s importance to the team has grown considerably.