Former Chelsea and Tottenham defender Jason Cundy says Liverpool may have to part ways with Fabinho after his form ‘rapidly dropped’ under Jurgen Klopp (1 March, 11.40pm)
To be fair to the former Real Madrid star, this was one of his better nights in recent memory. That’s not exactly a compliment.
Fabinho was fortunate to be able to play until the end of Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, despite having significantly improved in previous appearances. Following a clash with Mario Lemina in the FA Cup against Brighton, the Brazil international was fortunate to avoid a straight red card.
Fabinho would have put out the fire a season or two ago; anticipation and timing were the keys to his success. Fabinho, like many other members of Klopp’s squad, is beginning to show signs of wear at the age of 29 and after so many years of high-octane football.
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“His form has significantly dropped over the last 12 months,” Cundy claims.
“I saw him tonight, and he’s doing a couple of challenges where he gets caught.” In the middle of the park, he appears to be a major issue. Perhaps not tonight, but his drop-off…
“If you want to replace someone in the middle, I would consider shipping him off in the summer.”
In his defense, Fabinho has been practically vital to Liverpool’s recent recovery. At least in the Premier League. Klopp’s team has already kept four straight clean sheets, and the £40 million acquisition from Monaco has started three of those games, with the 5-2 defeat at home to Real Madrid feeling more like an exception than a continuation of Liverpool’s decline.
“He understands he’s not flying, and he has to grind his way back,” Klopp recently revealed, asking Fabinho to be inspired by another North West-based footballer who has relaunched his career.
“In this position, you need a guy who wins challenges, who protects everybody, but who plays football as well. Fabinho has been the best in that position for many years.
“At the moment, it’s not clicking. Certain players have not reached the heights they have for us in the last five or six years. It’s not uncommon.
“Marcus Rashford is one of the best examples. I’m not sure he can explain the difference between his season last year and his season this year. You have to struggle and work through it.”
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