Liverpools signings in the 2019 summer transfer window were seen as underwhelming by most fans. The club had just tallied their highest ever points in a league campaign, finishing second to a relentless Manchester City side, and, more importantly, had just won their sixth European cup, after a devastating defeat in the final in Kyiv the year before. Its fair to say that most assumed that the club would want to capitalise on the success by bringing some of the worlds most sought out players to Anfield.
That being said, come deadline day, most were dissatisfied with the clubs spending in the window. Besides bringing in Adrián and Andy Lonergan as back up goalkeepers, the club brought in two youngsters: Sepp van den Berg from PEC Zwolle, and Harvey Elliott from Fulham. Both youngsters have lots of potential and will surely be impactful in Liverpools future, but in terms of immediate impact, it is unlikely that either will have a considerable saying in Liverpools push for their first Premier League or their defence of the Champions League.
However, a massive boost that Liverpool fans may have underestimated is the advantage of having Fabinho play a full season without the aspect of having to settle in under Jurgen Klopp. It seems hard to believe, given how good he is, but Fabinho did not make himself a regular starter until the second half of the 2018/19 season, as it took him time to develop the qualities needed to play under Klopp who expected different things than Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim.
This tactical analysis will be a scout report that looks at Fabinhos role in the tactics used by Klopp at Liverpool and use analysis to determine what makes him so crucial to the Reds.
Destroyer
Fabinho has developed quite a few nicknames from the media and the coaching staff alike, but the most prominent is the destroyer. One of Fabinhos role in Klopps Liverpool is to essentially be an extra body in the backline to make it harder for the opposition to score.
Fabinhos defensive statistics this season have been excellent so far. Averaging 4.25 interceptions a game, 10.7 recoveries, with over 58% of them being in the opposition half, and a 60% aerial duel rate.
When comparing him to the other three defensive midfielders that make up the rest of the Premier Leagues top four (Wilfred Ndidi, Jorginho, and Rodri), he betters them in almost every defensive statistic including: tackles every 30 possessions for the opposition (1.32), tackle success rate (53.33%), tackles per 90 (0.87), and successful defensive actions per 90 (10.61).
Fabinho plays a crucial role in allowing Liverpools full-backs to roam free. You dont think of Liverpool without thinking of their full-back pair. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson are continually going forward to help out the front three with creating chances. This can sometimes leave gaps in behind for attacking players to exploit. Fabinho can sometimes be the one to slot in their place, covering for them in case Liverpool need to transition to the defensive third quickly.
Even when Liverpool are in the defensive phase, he is usually on the side the opposition team have the ball, thus helping to double mark the opposition player with the full-back, or even triple mark with the full-back and centre-back.
Second ball magnet
Another aspect that makes Fabinho invaluable to
