A player’s surprise form may allow Jurgen Klopp to experiment with Fabinho for once. The Liverpool boss hasn’t had that luxury for a while.
Fabinho has spent this season playing mainly at centre-half. That’s not his usual position, of course, but Liverpool have little choice.
Injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez leave the Reds short at the back – Joel Matip is the only senior, recognised centre-half left.
It’s far from an ideal situation. Not only are Liverpool light at the back but with Fabinho in defence, they don’t have their best defensive midfielder in position.
Fortunately, a surprise success story could rescue the situation.
Out of the shadows
Nat Phillips wasn’t supposed to play a part this season. He isn’t even in the Champions League squad, in fact, and no one would have batted an eyelid if he left the club ahead of the season.
Instead, he’s starting games in the Premier League. And even better than that, he’s playing really well.
We thought he was fantastic against Brighton last week, for instance. That could open the door to a much stronger defence.
If Phillips can continue the form he showed last week and against West Ham United, Jurgen Klopp can start him at the back instead of Fabinho. He could play the 23-year-old alongside Matip, in fact.
As a result, Fabinho could move back into midfield and play his usual ‘shield’ role in front of the back-four. Instantly, the defence feels stronger. Not only are there two natural centre-halves but a world-class defensive-midfielder sits in front.
This could be particularly important on Sunday. Not only are Wolves a very good side but Jordan Henderson might not be fully fit for it.
So Klopp may want to rest his captain. With Fabinho in defence, Liverpool don’t have a natural replacement in holding midfield.
But Phillip’s inclusion fixes that, allowing Klopp to experiment with Fabinho’s position for once.
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