Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FABINHO HAS FOUND HIS SAMBA STYLE AT
FABINHO is proving he can be much more than just Liverpool’s midfield enforcer – and the Reds are reaping the rewards in goals.
Fabinho, 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. The 6ft 2in Brazilian had already 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 Kop boss Klopp (right) told him he should be getting on the scoresheet more often after failing to hit the target last season – and Fab has 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 today.
“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 had became a more regular goalscorer during his final three years in France and hit double figures when Monaco were crowned champions in 2017.
Fabinho’s first three seasons at Anfield brought just three goals, but also Champions League and Premier League
title medals. Now he’s gunning for his first domestic cup success, and with the Reds closing in on Manchester City at the top of the table, plus progressing well in Europe and the FA Cup, history beckons. Fabinho said: “I don’t really think about winning 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. Against Chelsea we have the opportunity to win the first trophy.
“It will be really nice to win this title too because it would be my first national cup with Liverpool.
“Afterwards, we will have enough time to think about the other games, the other titles. Let’s only think about the next one. Working game by game has worked so far.”
The presence of fellow Brazilians Alisson and Roberto Firmino at Liverpool has helped Fabinho thrive on Merseyside. His command of English is already impressive and continues to improve.
Fabinho added: “I remember when I arrived at the club,
Bobby Firmino and his family were important for me and my family.
“They really helped us to feel welcome. To feel like home. When you have Brazilians on your team it is good, particularly as my English was not that good when I first came. It was good to have them around me.
“I have improved a lot with my English since I have been at Liverpool.”