Fabinho has been a brilliant deputy for Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool – but he wants normal service resumed ‘as soon as possible’.
With Van Dijk being ruled out for the whole season as early as October, Fabinho, a defensive midfielder, has been playing centre-back in recent months.
And although the big Brazilian has effortlessly adapted to that role, helping Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table despite the Dutchman’s absence, the former Monaco powerhouse is more than willing to give his team-mate his place back sooner rather than later so he can return to midfield.
He told The Mail: “He makes a real difference to the day to day in the dressing room and of course he will get his position straight back from me.
“I don’t know what the coach will do but I am sure Virgil will go straight in to the defence and I will go in to midfield. I hope that’s as soon as possible.”
Mo Salah is having a brilliant season, scoring 16 goals in all competitions so far.
But if Liverpool go on to retain their Premier League title with a midfielder playing central defence for most of the campaign then nobody would deny Fabinho – a £43 million signing in 2018 – their Player of the Year award.
Jurgen Klopp’s side can go five points clear at the summit if they beat West Brom this afternoon and that, all things considered, would be a brilliant way to go into the new year.
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