Liverpool midfielder Fabinho has been praised by pundit Gary Neville for the way he improved after a disappointing first half against Manchester City.
The Reds went to the Etihad Stadium knowing that a win would put them in the box seat for the Premier League title.
It was a dreadful start for Liverpool though as Kevin De Bruyne’s deflected shot flew in off the post, only for Diogo Jota to equalise.
Gabriel Jesus had City back in front but Liverpool again came back, scoring almost immediately after half time with Sadio Mane on the scoresheet.
Neither side were able to find the winner, meaning we ended the day as it started – with Liverpool just one point behind City.
The title are continues and Jurgen Klopp will certainly be happy with the way his players responded after a testing first half.
City were by far the better side in the first half and Liverpool just didn’t look themselves at all before coming out a changed team after the break.
A number of players simply had to ramp up their performance levels and Fabinho was one of them.
The Brazilian midfielder is a key cog in the Liverpool system but would probably admit himself that he wasn’t in top form in the first half.
The worst moment for Fabinho was switching off from a quick free kick, allowing De Bruyne to get a run on him and score.
That was uncharacteristic from £44million ace Fabinho but he was back to his best after the break, cutting out attacks and protecting the Liverpool back four.
Pundit Neville certainly spotted the improvement from Fabinho, taking the time to praise him during co-commentary duties with Sky Sports (63 mins).
Neville highlighted that Fabinho had a ‘difficult’ first half against the movement of Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva and also felt that Thiago was improving after the break.
That improved midfield performance from Liverpool certainly helped ensure a point, and Klopp will be hoping Fabinho doesn’t replicate that first-half showing moving forward.
“Fabinho has been a lot better in this second half, he had a difficult first half,” said Neville. “Thiago is getting on the ball as well,” he added.
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