Fabinho soothes Liverpool woes

The horrific injury to Virgil van Dijk soured an already bad month for Liverpool, but they notched a morale-boosting win in Champions League in midweek and might have found a solution in defence.

Brazilian defensive midfielder Fabinho was drafted in to take over Van Dijk’s role and emerged with major plaudits for helping the Reds keep a clean sheet away against Ajax Amsterdam.

That improved the tetchy mood Jurgen Klopp has displayed several times this week.

Now Liverpool return to domestic duties at home against Sheffield United tomorrow evening and could join neighbours Everton at the top of the table if they win.

That would be expected as the Blades have had a horror start to the season with just a solitary point from their first five matches.

But that belies the ability Sheffield United displayed last season and Liverpool’s taxing schedule could yet catch up with them.

Everton and Aston Villa are the last two unbeaten sides this season, but both are in danger this weekend.

Villa host the mercurial Leeds United tonight and on Sunday Everton travel to Southampton. The Saints are another unpredictable team with an ability to produce match-winning performances out of nothing.

Champions League success in midweek for the two Manchester clubs again emphasised their quality, but West Ham are on a run of form and will be optimistic about inflicting damage on Pep Guardiola’s team tomorrow.

Chelsea will be at Old Trafford later in the day and loom as tough rivals for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.