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Publication date: Monday, September 21, 2020 10:19
Virgil van Dijk told Fabinho that he thought “he was the man of the match” against Chelsea despite Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane taking the award.
Sadio Mane scored two goals and the Reds took advantage of Andreas Christensen’s expulsion to beat the Blues 2-0 and continue their positive start to the season.
Fabinho, who normally plays central midfield, replaced Van Dijk against Chelsea and the Dutchman believes that the Brazilian should have been the man of the match.
MAILBOX: Liverpool fans are already in love with Thiago …
Asked about Fabinho’s performance, Van Dijk said TV LFC: “Exceptional.
“I also told him that I believe that today he is the man of the match. To keep a forward like Werner, not let him score, a bit unfortunate with the penalty incident, but overall he was outstanding. Everybody knows how good it is.
“But it also shows that we need everyone. We had a bit of bad luck with the injuries now, but I hope everyone comes back, it will be a very long season.
Liverpool dominated Chelsea once the Blues were down to 10 men, with new guy Thiago Alcantara impresses from the bench after replacing Jordan Henderson.
Henderson suffered a blow to the thigh that Jurgen Klopp doesn’t expect will keep him out of the game for long.
However, Thiago excelled from the bench in Henderson’s place, leaving Klopp to praise the Spanish midfielder.
Alisson saved Jorginho’s penalty in the second half, ending an impeccable eight-shot streak from the Italian’s spot for the Blues, and that left Klopp celebrating the ideal West London afternoon.
“Jordan (Henderson) said he had knocked on the door and I told him not to continue because we didn’t want to take chances with him,” Klopp said.
“But even without training, and even against 10 men, Thiago made the perfect play in that position.
“Everything he did was perfectly natural. Alisson saved a penalty, Thiago made his debut, and if Hendo has absolutely nothing in his injury, it’s a perfect day.
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