Liverpool can reinvent Fabinho in the ideal new role and give Jurgen Klopp a double advantage

With one of Liverpool’s most consistent stars in recent years enduring a difficult run of form, a change in position could provide Fabinho with a much-needed double lead.

Fabinho’s role in Liverpool’s success has been evident to all since he fell out of the sky from the Monaco docks. Nicknamed the ‘beacon’, the Brazilian midfielder has helped establish the Reds’ midfield on the six of a red-hot backbone, but his form hasn’t been at its best this season.

A rash cameo against Brighton in the FA Cup last weekend saw him nearly sent off within five minutes, but while he’s part of a string of current fouls in normally efficient parts of Jürgen Klopp’s system, there’s one change that could help the Reds to restore value . in an area where I am without two key stars.

Until Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté are fully fit again, Fabinho’s best role now may be as centre-back. He’s impressed there before, including during the 2020-21 injury crisis, and with the 29-year-old seemingly lacking the pace to react so quickly in the middle of the park, his aggressive approach could add value to a deeper position – the Liverpool lighthouse a little further from the shore.

Lighthouse a little further from the shore.

After a mediocre first quarter of an hour at Molineux, Joël Matip and Joe Gomez both bore some responsibility for the first two goals conceded. The Reds were slow to react to situations while decision-making made the task more complicated. But after yet another defeat, Liverpool’s challenge to finish in the top four is now even more daunting. At a time when Klopp needs to find a solution, Fabinho may be the tweak needed.

The return of Diogo Jota and Luis Díaz will no doubt help an untapped front line after scoring just one goal in four Premier League games so far this year, although it’s just one of Liverpool’s many struggles face has been since returning from the Premier League. On the plus side, the delayed World Cup break means there are 18 games left – and time for Klopp to turn things around.

With teams battling for fourth in the Premier League currently lacking consistency, it is hoped that a reconstituted squad can help navigate the difficult road. For Fabinho, who faces his own struggle in midfield after Stefan Bajčetić’s rise to prominence, it’s all about getting back to basics.

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‘I can’t take it anymore’ – Jurgen Klopp makes statement of confidence after Liverpool were humiliated by Wolves

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reacts to his side’s terrible 3-0 loss to Wolves

Jurgen Klopp is adamant he hasn’t lost faith in his Liverpool players or his own abilities, even as their campaign has sunk to another appalling level.

The Reds were beaten 3-0 on Saturday by relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers to extend their 2023 Premier League winless season.

An own goal from Joel Matip and a strike from Craig Dawson in the opening 12 minutes were followed late by a shot from Ruben Neves as Liverpool fell to a seventh top-flight defeat and 10th in the table.

Although Klopp criticizes his underperforming players, he remains convinced that they can still turn things around.

“I don’t think they are at their best right now,” the Reds boss said. “Do I like it? No. But I still know how good they are and how good they can be. But life is not like that.

“It’s not everyday because of him, him, him. These things happen because we don’t help ourselves. Seven or eight players didn’t take part in the first goal, seven or eight didn’t take part in the second goal, but everyone is affected. We have to deal with these other situations.

“I haven’t lost faith in the guys, but I see where we need to improve. The beginning is horrible, then it’s normal, then it’s great. If we played like this at 0-0, I would like to see the final result. But right now it’s always “if, if, if”. I can’t hear it anymore, but that’s the situation.

“How can I solve this problem? Not in a press conference! It doesn’t help. I know my job, you know my job, I don’t want to explain how to build my team here. I will be judged by you what is right. But today, what I did was not good enough.

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Klopp was unimpressed the way reporters interrogated him after Liverpool defeat to Wolves

Jurgen Klopp refused to speak to a reporter following Liverpool’s humiliating 3-0 defeat by Wolves on Saturday.

Liverpool’s winless league run extended to four games at Molineux as Craig Dawson and Ruben Neves got on the scoresheet after Joel Matip shot across his own net early on.

Wolves’ first goal was Liverpool’s fifth goal in the first five minutes of a Premier League match this season, more than any other side, while Dawson’s second came just seven minutes later.

In his post-match press conference, Klopp was asked by Athletic’s James Pearce if Liverpool’s tendency to start slowly was caused by an attitude problem, and the Reds boss was unimpressed by the way he was interrogated.

“It’s very difficult to talk to you when I’m 100% honest. I’d rather not do that,” Klopp told Pearce. “You know why, despite all the things you’ve written.
“If anyone else wants to ask this question, I’ll answer it.”

Another journalist present repeated the same question, which was answered by a visibly irritated Klopp.

Meanwhile, Klopp’s comments on Wolves’ third goal quickly drew the ire of the Molineux club on social media.

Klopp complimented Liverpool’s second-half performance during his press conference, adding: “I’m not counting the third goal because it was the first time they crossed the halfway line.”

Wolves responded with a cheeky tweet from their official account, replicating their usual full-time post with an image showing the scoreline 2-0, with Neves’ goal disallowed. Neves’ goal was his fifth in the Premier League this season, making it his most prolific season in the league.