First impression: How has Fabinho done since joining Liverpool for £45m?

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After getting a look at the Brazilian in a handful of pre-season fixtures, Jack Hallows gives his first impressions on new midfield signing Fabinho.

Our midfield looks absolutely stacked at the moment, doesn’t it?

Even if the club doesn’t end up going back in and signing Nabil Fekir, they now boast Lallana, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Milner, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Fabinho and Naby Keïta in their ranks.

Of those players, Jordan Henderson was Liverpool’s first choice defensive midfielder – or, ‘number 6’ – last season in Klopp’s 4-3-3 setup but with the arrival of Fabinho, the captain’s starting place is not nailed on as a certainty.

Especially with Henderson not due to return to Liverpool until the season is underway after his England side made the World Cup semi finals.

It’s only been pre-season admittedly but Liverpool have looked a much better flowing unit with Fabinho in the defensive midfield role and while Klopp has admitted he may take time to adapt to the Reds’ style of play, the Brazilian’s best attributes have already started to shine through.

An impressive physical presence, Fabinho has already shown that he loves a tackle and it seems the time he previously spent playing as a right back has aided in his ability to both defend in one-on-one situations and pick up danger before it occurs.

This footballing IQ could be a huge asset to Klopp’s midfield, especially due to the fact that one of Henderson’s biggest criticisms is his inability to spot danger a step before it occurs when the game is moving at pace. In situations where Henderson may be scrambling to get back and help out, Fabinho will already be there to provide a helping hand.

Fabinho also more than replaces the physical presence lost by Emre Can’s departure to Juventus.

Standing at 188cm tall, the Brazilian cuts an imperious figure at the base of midfield and his presence will surely make a marked difference in both penalty areas when it comes to set pieces.

Having the former Monaco man’s height alongside the likes of Virgil van Dijk (193cm) and one of Joël Matip (195cm) or Dejan Lovren (188cm) could see the Reds’ previous problems against long balls be a thing of the past.

Having just signed a more than capable sweeper keeper for £60m+ will also help with that of course!

It’s not just off the ball that Fabinho looks impressive, however, with his use of the ball also raising eyebrows for all the right reasons.

When fielded in the ‘6,’ Henderson tends to act as far more of a metronome, looking to recycle the possession and ‘give and get’ constantly to try and open up opposition midfields.

This, of course, can work but despite Henderson’s impressive passing range, the Englishman’s seeming fragility when pressed – exposed heavily by Modric and Kroos in the Champions League final – and reluctance at times to spread the play has led to a lot of – generally unfair – criticism.

Fabinho it seems, won’t be suffering this problem.

The Brazilian will of course play the ‘give and get’ role when it calls for it and we’ve already seen how adept he is at playing the short, easy pass and moving to open up space for defenders to either re-find him or send the ball forward.

However, he looks much more confident in his ability to play midfield splitting balls up to the Reds’ attackers and seems less put off by the idea of taking risks with his passing.

Again, his time at right-back has likely influenced this preference and ability to play the ball forward at every opportunity.

Finally, while he hasn’t scored yet this pre-season, the Brazilian seems a far more likely source of the odd goal than Henderson. Not a criticism of the Liverpool skipper, it’s not what he’s in the team to do but to have your defensive midfielder score more than two goals in two seasons will certainly lend a helping hand.

I’ve already discussed his height making him a potential threat from set pieces but add in his immaculate penalty record and the fact he sent a rasping long range effort crashing into the post against Chester and you’re looking at a guy capable of adding some real threat from deep.

All in all, my first impression of Fabinho is that we’ve signed a really classy midfielder who, when he fully adapts to Liverpool’s high-intensity way of playing, is going to be a more than worthy addition. Especially for just £45m.