Fabinho: boss has a problem

– Fabinho’s impressive display in Liverpool’s midweek Champions League success has left his manager Juergen Klopp with a difficult decision to make ahead of the team’s return to domestic action at home to Cardiff on Saturday.

The 25-year-old, signed from Monaco for £39.9 million in pre-season, has made a stuttering start to his life in English football.

His substitute cameo in last weekend’s win at Huddersfield is still the only league football he has to his name this season.

But Fabinho’s 90-minute performance in the 4-0 victory over Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday suggested he is capable of playing a significant role in a midfield corps that compares favourably with any in England’s top flight.

“He was very good, very good,” said Klopp of Fabinho (above) who celebrated his 25th birthday on Tuesday.

“He was very aggressive and everything was there. For his first game for a while, his second start from the beginning, it was good, really good,” the German boss added.

Xherdan Shaqiri also played in Klopp’s three-man midfield against Belgrade, along with Dutch international Georginio Wijnaldum who has become an integral part of Liverpool’s scheme, having appeared in every league and Champions League game this season.

Former Stoke winger Shaqiri was hugely influential, using his passing abilities to pick holes in the Red Star defence from a slightly deeper position than usual.

The midfield three currently being turned out on a regular basis by defending champions Manchester City – with Fernandinho in the defensive role and playmakers David and Bernardo Silva alongside him – is considered by many to be the most impressive midfield combination in the league, but Liverpool’s depth and variety can certainly offer a challenge to Pep Guardiola’s side.

Jordan Henderson, with a hamstring problem, is ruled out of the Cardiff game while Keita is a doubt with the same injury.

Liverpool’s last trophy success came against Cardiff, in the English League Cup final nearly seven years ago. –

Liverpool

His second start from the beginning, it was good, really good.

Juergen Klopp Liverpool manager