CITY STILL THE BEST IN SHOW
But Fab up for Prem battle
FABINHO says Manchester City remain the best team in England despite his Liverpool side’s comprehensive Community Shield win.
City have won the Premier League four times in the last five campaigns, denying the Reds by a point in two of those years.
And although Liverpool’s 3-1 win at Leicester’s King Power Stadium on Saturday has no bearing on the forthcoming season, Fabinho still savoured laying down a marker against City with only their third victory in 11 meetings.
“Winning against City feels better because they are the best team in England, so it feels good to beat them,” said the Brazil midfielder.
“It is the best way to start the season. It is important for us because it was a really intense game, it was tough physically.
“All the players who played 90 minutes, it was the first time they had done that this season — in pre-season we didn’t play 90 minutes.
Legs
“It is good for the legs to be better physically for the Premier League start.”
Saturday’s match turned on the second-half introduction of summer signing Darwin Nunez, who won a penalty and scored to clinch the win.
The Uruguay striker may have to wait a while longer for his first start as, even with a full preseason behind him, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp likes to introduce new arrivals slowly.
Fabinho, who experienced the same when he signed in 2018, understands why that happens, but believes the ball will always find a “proper No 9” like Nunez.
“He is in a period of adaptation. We saw he is getting better,” he added.
“In the first game of pre-season he didn’t know the team well, but we have done three weeks of training so he knows a little bit the way we play.
Fast
“We are learning a little bit more about the way he plays. We know he is fast and strong and a proper No 9, who will be in the box. It looks like the ball will follow him and he will always get chances to score.
“To be honest, we always want to play. And always think we are ready to play in a new team and a new league and are ready for the intensity.
“But we learn from the players who play longer at Liverpool like Roberto Firmino. They have a really good relationship and Roberto gives Darwin some tips.”
‘We know that Nunez is fast and strong and is a proper No 9’