Liverpool’s season ended on a sombre note following the Champions League final defeat at the hands of Real Madrid. However, the Reds made quite a lot of progress during the season. Though they finished fourth in the league, their European run raised quite a few eyebrows and earned them a lot of plaudits.
Now, the transfer window is active and Jürgen Klopp’s side need to ensure they strengthen their squad and add more quality to what they already have. The Merseyside outfit have a pretty good starting XI but that bench can look a whole lot better.
In a bid to improve their squad, they’ve signed Fabinho from Monaco. The Brazilian revealed, “This is something that I always wanted – this is a giant of a team. The infrastructures of the club look exceptional.
“A football club of this size coming after my services, I didn’t have to think that much about coming over.”
Fabinho – Stats
Fabinho had a stellar campaign a year ago and though he hasn’t been able to match the same heights, he still had a pretty good season and helped his side finish second in the league table.
The Brazilian was predominantly deployed as a defensive midfielder and he impressed with his ability to break play and start attacks from deep.
His stats speak volumes about his efforts on the pitch; he recorded 3.4 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game. But don’t let those alone fool you. His attacking stats are equally impressive as he managed 1.9 dribbles per game and even averages more than one key pass a game.
Has the word all-action come to your mind yet? Well, for a defensive midfielder, he also managed to score seven times and assists three goals. Not bad, huh?
How will he fit in at Liverpool?
The Reds will most likely be without Emre Can next season, Though Naby Keita’s arrival will add more depth to the attacking department, Klopp sorely needs someone who can upset the flow of the game when things aren’t going his side’s way. Fabinho can do that.
An accomplished number six, he is the player Liverpool’s attacking system could do with. Though the geggenpressing template has worked well with Liverpool’s current midfielders, Fabinho’s arrival could add more balance and defensive rigidity to the midfield.
He is a pretty busy player and should find it hard to adapt to Klopp’s style at Anfield. And at 24, he still has a few years to develop and become one of the best in the world.
Stats via Whoscored