I NEED TO BE A FAB LEADER.. LIKE VVD
Fabinho’s vow to boss Klopp
LIVERPOOL midfielder Fabinho has admitted he will never match sidelined team-mate Virgil van Dijk – but is ready to take over his leadership role.
The Brazilian earned plaudits for deputising for centre- back colossus Van Dijk in Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Ajax on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old brushed off suggestions that he can plug the massive hole left by VVD’s longterm absence, but he has promised manager Jurgen Klopp he can be his equal as a Kop leader.
“I am not Virgil - he is the best defender is the world,” said Fabinho. “When I knew he was out for a long time I was shocked. He is a leader in the team and in the dressing room. He makes sure the mood is good and we will miss this. But I have to do a little of what Virgil always does. I must try to organise, to talk to the team and try to be a leader.
“The manager said to me
I have to talk more to organise the team. I have to be ready for the long balls. Against Ajax it was very important for me and the team to keep a clean sheet. sheet.”
As Liverpool prepare to return to Premier League action against Sheffield United tomorrow night, keeper Adrian said he was confident the champions can handle the loss of Van Dijk.
“Virgil is a big loss for us but it is how we react that matters,” he said. “We have good players who play in this position in Fabinho and Joe Gomez. We have a great squad.”
Van Dijk himself showed he is still ready to lift Liverpool spirits with a message to the entire squad before they played in Amsterdam.
But as his close friend Gini Wijnaldum explained after the win, there won’t be any discussions with the towering defender about football in the first few months of his recovery.
“I don’t think it is the right time to speak with Virgil about football,” the Dutchman said. “Football at this time is not the most important thing.”