Fabinho has insisted that he will be fit to play for Liverpool in the Champions League final next weekend.
In an interview with Diario AS, the Liverpool midfielder gave a positive injury update for the final.
“Yes, I’ll be there… to play,” claimed Fabinho. “We are working and recovering to be ready for that final. I am very calm and very confident that I will be there, so you have to keep working and resting to be at the best physical level for May 28.”
Jurgen Klopp had already been definitive in his assertion that the Brazilian would play. To hear it from the man himself though, that’s absolutely brilliant.
Fingers crossed for no rust on Fab
There is a slight concern still about Fabinho’s fitness in the run-up to the game. He can sometimes can look a little rusty when returning from an injury.
In this case, injury has only meant a couple of weeks on the side-lines. Even so, Liverpool can’t afford to carry any passengers in Paris.
Real Madrid have an astonishingly good midfield to go with their impressive forward line. Should Fabinho be slightly off his game, expect to see Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos dominate the middle of the pitch.
Liverpool can’t allow that happen. Jordan Henderson has spoken of his confidence in playing in the holding midfield role and did it well again in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
If Fabinho isn’t able to train ahead of the final, it might be wise to let him sit it out in favour of Henderson.
Having said that, The Reds number 3 is an upgrade on just about any player in the position in world football. In such a big game, Jurgen Klopp may feel he has to take the risk on Fab.
Liverpool are a far, far better team with a fit and on-form Fabinho. But when he’s out-of-kilter The Reds can become too easy to play through.
The final decision will rest with Klopp. Fingers crossed he’s convinced that his ‘lighthouse’ is ready.
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