Jurgen Klopp has suggested to Liverpool’s official website that it is possible that he could put Fabinho back in his side’s midfield, upon his return from injury.
Fabinho is set to return from injury for Liverpool tonight against Chelsea, but it is not yet known where he will be deployed.
The Brazilian has generally played in central defence for the Reds this season, due to their injury problems.
Fabinho has played well at the back, and has often looked Klopp’s best option in the heart of his defence, with so many injuries hitting.
However, there is a feeling that Liverpool aren’t functioning at their best because the 27-year-old isn’t in their midfield.
Fabinho would offer Liverpool greater steel in the centre of the pitch, and give their backline increased protection.
Liverpool also have more options at the back going into tonight’s game than they have had previously – as Ozan Kabak has now arrived at the club, and Nathaniel Phillips has been solid.
And when asked whether Fabinho could be put back into midfield, Klopp kept his cards close to his chest.
“Both is possible, it’s true,” he said. “So it’s good, it gives us options. If we can find a way to bring Fab back in midfield that would be quite helpful in some games.
“The most consistent player this season is Gini Wijnaldum, long may it continue. He played a six. But with Fab on six in some games would be absolutely helpful. We will see.
“Both things are really intense, if he played centre half or he played six.
“In the past we had to bring players back almost immediately, because another player would leave the pitch injured. This time we don’t have to do that – first time, maybe.
“But there’s still a lot of games to come so we will see.”
Liverpool did actually keep a clean sheet in their most recent game against Sheffield United, so Klopp may not want to disrupt his defensive pairing.
However, the Reds are expected to have more defending to do tonight than at Bramall Lane, as Chelsea have so many attacking threats.
If Fabinho was brought into midfield it would be interesting to see whether Klopp gave him the nod over Thiago, Curtis Jones or Georginio Wijnaldum.
A win tonight would be a massive for the Reds, as it could take them back into the top four.
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