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Post Date: Saturday, Oct 24, 2020 5:45 AM
Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson says teams “will enjoy their chances” against Fabinho, while the midfielder replaces the Premier League champions as central defender.
With Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip, both currently injured, the Reds have no central defensive options. As the transfer window is now closed, Jurgen Klopp will have to make use of his current alternatives.
He turned to Fabinho in his team’s Champions League clash with Ajax on Wednesday, with the Brazilian joining Joe Gomez at the rear. He also put in a solid performance, helping Liverpool on goal and brilliantly clearing Dusan Tadic’s effort from the line.
Naturally a defensive midfielder, Fabinho is expected to continue in the role for Saturday night’s clash with Sheffield United at Anfield. The Merseyside club will look to record its first league win in three games against Chris Wilder’s Blades.
But despite his confident performance in Amsterdam, Johnson he thinks Liverpool’s high line could eventually catch him.
Speaking to Premier League Productions (via Goal), he said: “Obviously I was an offensive winger and when I played alongside [John Terry]I knew I didn’t have to go back that far. I knew I would get the ball back and that I could stay high in an aggressive position.
“But when you play with other centrals, you have to defend, you have to accommodate yourself. I think it will alter their games, they will have to be mastered a bit.
“Everyone will know they are going to be high, sometimes at the same time. The so-called smaller teams won’t even be looking. They will just play the ball in the space these guys will leave.
“Someone will like their one-on-one opportunities with Fabinho. “
The former Monaco enforcer has played as a central defender for Liverpool in the past. He did it twice in the 2018/19 season, while also appearing there two other times this season.
Injured Van Dijk sends encouraging message to teammates
Despite receiving devastating news that he has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, Virgil van Dijk continues to try to inspire the Liverpool squad.
The dutch suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in last week’s Merseyside derby and now he’s ready for a long period on the sidelines.
However, Jordan Henderson has revealed that van Dijk sent a message to his teammates in an attempt to lift their spirits.
Read the full story here…
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