Liverpool are widely considered to have one of the best squads in the Premier League this season. Many pundits believe that the title race this season could end up being a two-way race between Manchester City and Liverpool.
Fabinho arrived at Liverpool this summer in a £39.3 million deal from French Ligue 1 outfit Monaco. Fabinho would easily walk into the starting XI of most top clubs and is highly rated, having helped Monaco to win the Ligue 1 and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League two seasons ago.
However, the competition is so intense within the Reds’ first-team this season, that the 24-year-old is not certain of making the starting XI on a regular basis, let alone play. He was an unused substitute during Liverpool’s 4-0 demolition of West Ham last weekend.
With options in midfield such as Naby Keita, Gini Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson, the competition to break into Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI is intense. So intense was the competition, that last season’s club captain Henderson was restricted to a late cameo off the bench during the game against the Hammers.
Despite the predicament, Fabinho’s performances during pre-season were solid and he is certain to get his opportunities at some point. When those opportunities do come, it will be up to the player himself to prove to Klopp that he is capable of donning the first-team jersey of the Reds on a regular basis.
Fabinho said of the situation as reported by The Echo: “When I came to Liverpool I knew this competition would exist in midfield and I think it’s really good for the team,”
“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.”
