Fabinho is stepping up for Liverpool. The 28-year-old was once again on the scoresheet yesterday as Liverpool saw off Crystal Palace 3-1.
That made it four goals in five games for The Brazilian. Let’s put that into context. Before his double against Shrewsbury earlier in the month, Fabinho had just three goals in his previous 142 Liverpool games.
That’s quite a turnaround. Of course it helps that he has taken over penalty duties in Mohamed Salah’s absence. But it still represents a big string added to an already impressive bow for The Reds number three.
For the bulk of his Liverpool career so far, Fabinho has operated as a defensive midfielder, and a pretty good one at that. The best in the world many would say.
During Jurgen Klopp’s centre-back crisis of 2020/21, he was used very effectively as a make-shift option in the middle of the defence. Having also played a lot of games earlier in his career at right-back, Fabinho is also very capable of playing there.
Goal-scoring has now been added to his repertoire. As a result, Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to hail their versatile and full-of-surprises Brazilian.
Sharing the responsibility
Fabinho’s four goals make him Liverpool’s top scorer in 2022. Since Sadio Mane and Salah left for Afcon, Liverpool have had seven different scorers in five games.
Many were worried about Klopp’s side’s ability to cope without their two frontmen. But the players have responded by sharing the goal-scoring burden between them.
The manager will be relieved at having navigated a difficult period without his main attacking weapons. Liverpool don’t play again until February 6th and not in the Premier League until four days later.
By the time that game comes around, Mane and Salah will have returned from Cameroon. You can bet they will have one or two words of thanks to Fabinho for keeping Liverpool on track while they’ve been away.
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