Fabinho can play important role vs Manchester United even from the bench

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Liverpool have Fabinho back to face Manchester United on Sunday and he can play a key role from the bench.

The Brazilian may start, of course, but we don’t think he should. In fact, there are doubts whether he should get in the side instead of Jordan Henderson.

But even if he doesn’t start, he can have a very important role for Liverpool. Whether he comes on as Liverpool are winning or chasing goals, we know what Fabinho will do.

He’ll sit in front of the back four, breaking up play, and looking to get the team moving forward. It’s what Liverpool paid £39m for in 2018.

Now, if Liverpool are defending a lead, it’s easy to see why that would help. We know United struggle to break teams down who are defending and having a player in the middle so skilled at defending will make that job even tougher.

United lack those difficult attacking midfielders who would really give Fabinho trouble. The Brazilian should, therefore, be the ideal player to shut up shop if it comes to that.

But what if Liverpool are chasing the game? Well, then Fabinho should come into his element. Jurgen Klopp can then introduce a player who is fantastically skilled at stopping counter-attacks. He’s the exact player you’d want to keep United pinned back and stop the counter-attacks they rely on.

Fabinho probably won’t start against United and will likely come off the bench instead. And that makes sense – Henderson has played wonderfully as Liverpool control games.

But for that last 20-30 minutes, once the game has truly taken shape, Klopp can use Fabinho to great effect.