Gary Neville told Sky Sports during their live coverage of Liverpool’s win at Arsenal on Saturday evening that Fabinho was their ‘best player’.
In recent matches, after being deployed at centre-back, Liverpool fans have once again been used to their versatile defensive machine playing in his natural number six role.
And, like Cilla Black used to say once upon a time, ‘surprise, surprise’, Liverpool have looked a different animal all-round with Fabinho in the middle of the park.
Neville felt he was ‘outstanding’ on Saturday, as Liverpool kept their hopes of finishing in the top four alive.
“He has been Liverpool’s best player, Fabinho,” said Neville. “Outstanding player. Fabinho, not Firmino (Neville laughs on commentary).
“But he has been really good, Fabinho. You think about the times Liverpool have lost him to being a makeshift centre-back. He has done well there.
“But in midfield. I think he’s the best in that position in the league. There are other good ones. I think of Kante. Rodri and Fernandinho at Man City.
“Fabinho has been outstanding during these past 18 months in that holding role.”
Liverpool should have punished Arsenal in the first half, but that ruthless nature wasn’t there from the champions.
However, when Diogo Jota was introduced from the bench just after the hour mark, he made an instant impact and Liverpool then put the game to bed.
It’s going to be interesting to see how Jurgen Klopp moves forward from here and whether he plays all four of his attacking players against Real Madrid next week.
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