Fabinho praised for Liverpool “sacrifice” as defensive Chelsea tactic explained
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Fabinho was Jurgen Klopp’s man of the match in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Chelsea at the weekend.
Virgil van Dijk’s too.
And now assistant manager Pep Lijnders has showered further praise on the Brazilian, after sacrificing himself for the side at Stamford Bridge.
Fabinho, 26, deputised at centre-back in the absence of injured duo Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, and played a starring role in stifling the threat of Timo Werner.
With Dejan Lovren having been sold, and the arrival of Thiago from Bayern Munich, there may be more occasions where he slots in alongside Van Dijk this term.
And Lijnders insists that Liverpool ’s coaching staff have no qualms about asking the selfless Brazilian to continue there if necessary, while explaining how important it is for the side as a whole to get things right from a defensive standpoint.
(Image: 2020 Sebastian Frej/MB Media)
“It shows his character that he is always ready to help the team,” said Lijnders. “Playing at centre-back, he sacrificed himself.”
Liverpool’s high defensive line was called into question after the 4-3 thriller against Leeds, but was once more on display in west London as they kept their first clean sheet in eight games.
The Reds desire to push to the halfway line and squeeze play in opponents’ halves has become increasingly pronounced in the last years, but faltered somewhat against the newly-promoted Whites.
Lijnders explained that the difference defensively on Sunday wasn’t just about Fabinho however.
(Image: 2020 Chelsea FC)
“If you saw the difference between the Leeds game and the Chelsea game, the last game is a big compliment to our last line.
“The way we defended with the last line, their behaviour and braveness how we always controlled the movements of Timo (Werner) going in behind and how we stopped counter-attacks.
“I always say avoiding goals takes 22 feet and two gloves. It’s not just Fabinho stopping the counter-attacks, as a whole team we have to defend, but Fabinho was an easy choice to be man of the match!
“Jurgen [Klopp] likes players who can play in different positions.
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Liverpool got their title defence off to a shaky start as they edged out a seven-goal thriller against Leeds.
In terms of transfers the Reds have completed the signing of Thiago Alcantara and Wolves’ Diogo Jota has arrived too, in a shock deal worth a potential £45million.
Youngster Ki-Jana Hoever is set to head to Wolves in a £10million deal, while Gini Wijnaldum continues to be linked with Barcelona. There’s a lot to keep track of.
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“Do we want Joe Gomez and Joel Matip back? Yes please! But Fabinho can play a super game there as well, as long as we defend the last line as we did at Chelsea.
“Otherwise it would be much more difficult for him.”
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