Is Fabinho now Liverpool’s most important midfielder?

Liverpool midfielder Fabinho put in a masterclass in midfield as the Reds got their 2019-20 campaign off to a flying start by beating Norwich at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s side were 3-0 up after just 28 minutes and won the game 4-1 in a comfortable manner.

How good was Fabinho against the Canaries? Five key things to know…

• The Brazilian joined Liverpool from Monaco last summer for £39m
• During the first half of last season, he only started eight games for the Reds
• Since then he has started more than any other midfielder except Wijnaldum
• Against Norwich, he made more tackles than any other player
• Liverpool beat Norwich 4-1 to start the 2019-20 season

https://audioboom.com/posts/7336082-10-predictions-for-the-2019-20-premier-league-season

Fabinho has taken some time to get used to the cut and thrust of the Premier League. After joining from Monaco he had his critics after struggling to assert himself and started just eight matches in the first half of last season behind Georginio Wijnaldum (16), James Milner (12) and Jordan Henderson (8).

Since then, however, he has started the second-most (15), behind only Wijnaldum.

Fabinho made more tackles (7) than any other player on the pitch during Liverpool 4-1 Norwich.

Those long legs doing work again. 🐙 pic.twitter.com/7HUop85mVG

— Squawka (@Squawka) August 9, 2019

Against Norwich he was the key man in the middle of the park, making seven tackles, more than any other player on the pitch.

After the game, he was quick to make sure no one was getting carried away.

“The victory in the Champions League was a very good season last year, but it is a thing of the past, we have other goals for this new season and we have an ambitious team,” he told RMC Sport.

“You have to be ambitious and to win in the Premier League you have to be almost perfect,” he continued.

“Last year Manchester City finished with 98 points and were crowned, we know that our opponents are also very strong, more difficult but we are ready.”

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‘I want to be Liverpool’s most important player’

At the end of last season, the Brazilian midfield admitted that he had to be patient when he first signed for Liverpool.

The midfielder, though, believed in his ability and knew if he got the chance to play consecutive games, he would take it.

“Even when I wasn’t playing, I already knew I had to work hard because I knew if I played a few games on the trot, I could become an important player for the team,” Fabinho told the club website.

“I think I’ve shown that and it’s also something I wanted – to have more responsibility in the team, to keep improving as a player. I’ve always aspired to that, and the manager trusts me more.

“I finished last season strongly, I nearly always played. We cannot become complacent, we must keep wanting more, and that’s what I try to do.”

Liverpool face Chelsea in the Uefa Super Cup final on Wednesday before taking on Southampton in the Premier League next weekend.