Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has suggested that he sees some of himself in Liverpool midfielder Fabinho.
The French coach was asked by Sky Sports Premier League which current players remind him of his own playing style.
“This is a difficult one. What I will say is I will mention players that I really like,” said the World Cup winner.
After firstly naming Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante and Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka, Vieira praised the Liverpool star too.
“Fabinho from Liverpool, I think he’s a team player working really hard to compensate the hold in the team and he can play as well, he’s really comfortable on the ball. He’s the type of player you’re not going to notice but he makes all the other ones look really good,” he said.
Fabinho crucial to Liverpool regaining form
Fabinho perhaps has a little way to go before he reaches Vieira’s legacy in the game, but he’s incredibly crucial for Liverpool.
Reds fans certainly didn’t need any further proof of this. They’ve known it for years. Nevertheless, Monday’s game against Manchester United confirmed what they already knew.
Jurgen Klopp’s decision to leave the 28-year-old out at Old Trafford really cost Liverpool. It was therefore no surprise to see Fabinho back in the team for today’s game against Bournemouth.
It wasn’t a game he was truly needed for in the end. But he looked back to his dominant best regardless. With their no.3 pulling the strings, Liverpool throttled Scott Parker’s shellshocked side.
Hopefully Fabinho can use the game as a launchpad for the rest of his season. Like most of his teammates he hasn’t fully got going yet in 2022/23.
A little like his countryman Roberto Firmino, when Fabinho doesn’t play well, Liverpool don’t play well.
Thankfully, the Ballon d’Or nominee plays well far more often than he doesn’t. With injuries aplenty in the Liverpool midfield, Fabinho’s importance to his team has arguably never been greater.
Just like Vieira, The Reds £44m man is a combative soul. Expect him to stand up to be counted as Liverpool search for top gear.
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