Jamie Carragher names Liverpool’s ‘best player’ as Klopp gets away with big mistake against Spurs
Jamie Carragher believes Fabinho has been Liverpool’s ‘best player’ in 2019 and thinks it was a mistake to leave him out against Tottenham on Sunday.
The Reds won the Anfield encounter 2-1 thanks to a late own goal from Toby Alderweireld but it could have been a different story as the visitors pressed for a winner in the second half after Lucas Moura’s equaliser.
Is Fabinho Liverpool’s best player? Five key things to know…
- Fabinho was left on the bench for Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Spurs.
- The Brazilian was brought on late and won two aerial duels, making another tackle on top of that.
- Jamie Carragher believes he could have replaced any of Liverpool’s midfield on Sunday.
- The ex-Liverpool defender also believes Fabinho has been Klopp’s best player in 2019.
- Fabinho had started nine consecutive games for Liverpool prior to Sunday’s game.
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Fabinho was brought on seven minutes after his fellow Brazilian levelled the tie and ex-Liverpool defender Carragher highlighted the difference his presence made to Jurgen Klopp’s midfield, even suggesting he should have started over another of the midfield three.
“I think Fabinho has possibly been Liverpool’s best player since the turn of the year, or certainly since he’s been in the team as a regular,” Carragher told the Sky Sports studio after the match.
“I thought he made a big difference when he came on.”
When asked who he could have replaced out of starters Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum, Carragher responded:”I think it could have been any of the three midfielders.
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“It’s not a single person that you point at and say ‘he’s not good enough, he shouldn’t be in the midfield for him’.
“It’s just Liverpool’s set-up of midfield, they’re very similar players. That’s the only criticism. You don’t criticise them individually.
“I just think since he’s come on, his passing and how often he wins the ball back quickly. I think he made he made a difference when he did come in so I think you’d expect to see him from now until the end of the season.”
Klopp: We were lucky but we’ll take it
The late own goal from Alderweireld was the fifth time Liverpool have won in stoppage time this season and although Klopp did admit after the game that his side was ‘lucky’, he insisted no team can win the league with that fortune and would welcome it again.
“We are top of the table,” Klopp said. “We cannot be there having no luck.
“If we are there at the end of the season it will be down to will, desire and attitude. We compete with Man City, tell me two better teams at the moment, and we compete with them.
“We needed luck. Apologies, but we still take it.”
Liverpool’s win sent them back to the top of the Premier League with an away trip at Southampton up next for Klopp’s side.
