Fabinho has just made Liverpool’s summer transfer plan a lot easier

Fabinho has just simplified Liverpool’s summer transfer plan a lot

Report from Ian Doyle after Monday’s Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester

Even those with only the most superficial interests will know that Liverpool are planning to revamp their midfield this summer.

And it seems those currently patrolling the center of the park on behalf of the Reds are well aware of what is to come.

From the succinct and abbreviated pre-season, there has always been the feeling that Fabinho has been catching up throughout the season.

Certainly, his alarmingly sub-par performance in the opening match against Fulham set the tone for a rocky start – he was dropped by Manchester United two weeks later – which the Brazilian has struggled to overcome. And when the new year saw him sidelined in favor of rising teenager Stefan Bajcetic, a string of daunting cameos did little to make his case. However, Fabinho has never been the type to shy away from a challenge, whether in midfield or in his career in general. He will know that with two or perhaps three midfielders arriving during the transfer window, the battle for places will heat up again.

And since Liverpool at least gave themselves a big chance for Champions League qualification with a strong sprint to the finish, the 29-year-old underlined the importance of him. Fabinho returned to form, with this game against relegation-threatened Leicester City marking his 13th consecutive Premier League start.

Arguably his best performance of the season, the Brazilian unpacked tackles quickly, read the game well, anticipated hazards and dealt with authority. Adapting to Liverpool’s new formation has also highlighted the positional intelligence that has long been his forte and given him greater freedom in his game, with Trent Alexander-Arnold occasionally at his side.

Fabinho’s contribution here was perhaps best underlined immediately after Liverpool’s second goal, when his instant high pressing opened up a chance for Cody Gakpo to really score.

And in the final stages, he patrolled the field with confidence and determination. He was the Fabinho from before.

“You are not fit to wear the shirt,” chanted the angry home fans at the final whistle as their team closed in on the trap. However, Fabinho has shown why he deserves to continue playing in the Liverpool red shirt after this season.