£44m signing Fabinho reacts after Klopp left him out of Liverpool’s Premier League opener

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp chose to leave Fabinho on the bench against West Ham.

Liverpool kicked off their Premier League campaign with a 4-0 thrashing of West Ham United on Sunday afternoon, but one of Jurgen Klopp’s big signings didn’t play a part.

The Reds – backed to be the club to run Manchester City close in the race for the Premier League title this season – came into the campaign with huge expectations, and they lived up to those expectations on Sunday.

Mohamed Salah got the ball rolling with a tap-in from Andrew Robertson’s cross, before Sadio Mane grabbed a brace and substitute Daniel Sturridge added a fourth for the Reds.

New signings Alisson and Naby Keita both impressed, but there was no part for midfielder Fabinho, who was an unused substitute in the thrashing at Anfield.

Signed from Monaco for £44million this summer (Daily Mail), Fabinho was expected to feature as the holding midfielder in Klopp’s 4-3-3 system, but he was left on the sidelines by the German.

Klopp went with Georginio Wijnaldum in holding midfield with James Milner and Keita either side of him, and even when Liverpool used a substitution, it was Jordan Henderson who came on for the Reds.

That is something of a surprise, given that Henderson played in England’s World Cup campaign, whereas Fabinho has had a free summer having missed out on a call-up to the Brazil squad.

Now, Fabinho has been asked about being left out of the action, and told Sky Sports that he feels the competition for places is a good thing, and he knew he wouldn’t have a role handed on a plate to him, as the 24-year-old took a mature view on his omission.

“When I came to Liverpool I knew this competition would exist in midfield and I think it’s really good for the team,” said Fabinho. “If anything happens to a player, there’s adequate cover. During pre-season I played alongside a variety of different players and we blended really well. So, overall, I think it’s a good thing for the team,” he added.