Liverpool analysis: Fabinho deserves transfer decision as Sadio Mane concerns subsided

Fabinho may deserve a transfer decision

During the dark and difficult early days at Anfield, it sometimes seemed implausible that Fabinho would make it to a century of appearances for Liverpool.

But when he marked the significant milestone here against West Bromwich Albion, it raised a question.

What would Jurgen Klopp do without his versatile Brazilian?

Having finally cemented his reputation as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, Fabinho, without a hitch or complaint, has smoothly emerged as an equally impressive center-back following the loss of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez to long-term injuries. .

It’s okay. Joel Matip’s latest injury problem, which will once again raise questions about his durability, left Fabinho again as the top member of a central defense association alongside 19-year-old Rhys Williams in his second Premier League outing. .

Nat Phillips, another graduate of the Academy, has the same level of high-level experience, while teenager Billy Koumetio has not been tested at this level.

While the decision on whether the Reds change tactics and seek a central defender in the January transfer window could depend on the severity of Matip’s injury, another aspect may be to help take on Fabinho’s responsibility in the New Year.

But regardless of what happens, one issue is out of the question. The Brazilian has arguably become Liverpool’s most important player.

Mane in humor as Salah fights

It’s no wonder Sadio Mane wasn’t very happy.

The Senegalese seemed less than impressed when, last weekend, he was hooked after just an hour of Liverpool’s record-breaking victory at Crystal Palace.

Jurgen Klopp shrugged at any suggestion of discontent, rightly noting that no player should welcome the substitution.

Having finished a sterile nine-game run with a thunderous punch, Mane clearly felt like he had rediscovered his scoring touch.

And it took him just 12 minutes to underline the point here when, after being selected by a good flyover from Joel Matip, the forward controlled the ball in his chest away from West Brom defender Semi Ajayi and struck home a volley with the right foot.

The fact that the floodgates did not open was not due to a lack of effort from Mane, who constantly hounded the Baggies’ backline and, in the first half in particular, created ample space for the spirited Andy Robertson overlap.

On the other flank, Mohamed Salah suffered an intermittent afternoon, giving plenty of opportunities to run on defense, but was too often harassed and dull at key moments, ending a sequence of five consecutive scoring appearances.

Salah can be allowed an occasional problem. And now any concerns about Mane have been emphatically banished.

Jones learns the hard way

This was a punishing experience for Curtis Jones.

With Liverpool completely dominant in the first half, the 19-year-old completed more passes than the entire West Brom team combined.

However, after the break, things got a lot more difficult as the visitors turned up the intensity just as the Reds slackened horribly.

Therefore, it was unwise for Jones, full of self-confidence, to go overboard near his own box when a simple ball was required off defense, leading to the unnecessary concession of a corner from which the Baggies leveled.

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A little arrogance is not a bad thing and in fact has helped accelerate the youngster’s development to become a first-team regular. In this case, however, he was betrayed by his lack of game management experience – this, don’t forget, is only a seventh start in the Premier League.

It wasn’t the teenager’s fault that the Reds didn’t adequately defend the set piece. But such mistakes can often be costly at this high level.

Jones, being Jones, will not let this affect him. Instead, he has already shown that he can learn from any setback.