THE FAB Enforcer now for Klopp’s
FABINHO is proving he can be much more than Liverpool’s midfield enforcer – and the Reds are reaping the rewards in goals.
The 6ft 2ins Brazilian, 28, has found the back of the net six times already this season – and has scored five of those goals in his last nine appearances as the Merseysiders have cranked up their bid for the Quadruple in style.
He has carved out a reputation for being one of the most ruthless defensive midfielders in the game behind Jurgen Klopp’s devastating array of attackers.
But the Kop boss told him he should be getting on the scoresheet more often after failing to hit the target last season – and he’s taken up the challenge.
“I think the reason (I am scoring more goals) is that I am getting into the box more often,” said Fabinho as he sized up the challenge Chelsea will pose in the Carabao Cup Final.
“Before, I was always the last man to defend the counter-attack. Now I am more often in the box, so I have more opportunities to score.
“I always try different movements, first and second balls, and our team is really good at set-pieces.
“When you have team-mates who can win the ball in the air, it can always fall to you. I try to be alive and score.”
Fabinho has become a key performer for Klopp since he arrived from Monaco in a £39million deal in the summer of 2018. He became a more regular goalscorer during his final three years in France – and hit double figures when Monaco were crowned champions in 2017.
His first three seasons at Anfield brought just three goals – but did realise Champions League and Premier League title medals.
Now he is gunning for his first domestic knock-out success – and with the Reds now closing in on Manchester City at the top of the table and progressing well in Europe and the FA Cup, history beckons.
Fabinho said: “I don’t really think about four trophies. “When you play two or three times a week, you just try to prepare game by game, just to recover because it’s not easy.
“On Sunday we have the opportunity to win the first title.
“It will be really nice to win this one because it would be my first national cup with Liverpool.
“Afterwards, we have enough time to think about the other games, the other titles.
“Let’s think about the next one. Working game by game has worked so far.”
The presence of fellow Brazilians Alisson Becker and