Shane Clancy
Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp discussed the versatility of Fabinho today as he may be looking to utilise the Brazilian’s ability to play at centre-half against Brighton this weekend.
Fabinho will most likely partner Virgil van Dijk in the centre of Liverpool’s back four due to injuries to Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren.
Klopp spoke about what he needs and expects from the former Monaco player for their trip to the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
“If Fabinho has to play as a centre-half what we want is the natural understanding of the game,” Klopp told the pre-match press conference.
“If you are a holding six or a centre-half with the ball it is easier.”
Gomez fractured his ankle in Liverpool’s 3-1 win at Burnley at the start of December then Matip broke his collarbone against Napoli a week later. Then, Lovren pulled up with a hamstring injury in the first five minutes of Liverpool’s FA Cup defeat to Wolves last Monday night.
With all three centre-backs out, Fabinho will now have to step into the centre-half role in a partnership with Van Dijk. It’s a position he has played in before with Monaco when necessary. He also turned in a good performance when he played there at Molineux last week.