‘He’s suffered’: TalkSPORT pundit says £39m Liverpool player has been hurt by having to play alongside Thiago

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TalkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino has claimed Liverpool star Fabinho has been hurt having to play alongside Thiago in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield.

That’s the reason the former Celtic and Chelsea man gave when questioned about the Brazilian’s dip in form this season.

“He’s suffered. The team have suffered, and he has suffered,” Cascarino said.

“Not so long ago, Wijnaldum, Fabinho and Henderson were the engine room of Liverpool – they won the ball, the dogs of war going to get the ball all the time. He [Fabinho] excelled in that.

“Thiago’s in there. An unbelievable, talented player but he can never do the quality defending and winning the ball back that Henderson and Wijnaldum did for Liverpool. And I think it’s come at a price for Fabinho, I really do.

“He has struggled, I’m not denying he hasn’t struggled. He has. But he’s been isolated way too often because there’s holes in Liverpool’s midfield. “

Cascarino says Fabinho has been hurt playing next to Thiago

Whilst he’s not a natural defensive midfielder, Thiago certainly puts in a shift when playing in the middle of the park for the Reds, as he is constantly trying to win the ball back.

As a matter of fact, the Spaniard actually leads the side in tackles made per game, for which he averages 3.1, and ranks in third for interceptions made per match, with 1.3 (via WhoScored).

Therefore, to pin Fabinho’s struggles on Thiago is extremely unfair, as the Brazilian has suffered in multiple ways this season.

Known as an absolute rock in front of the defence, the 29-year-old looks more leggy and less athletic than usual. As a workhorse in the midfield, this has had severe implications on the Brazil international’s ability to excel in his role.

Looking slow and sluggish when tracking back towards goal, fast and nimble players have found it all too easy to get past him when dribbling at speed.

Even when it comes to his passing, the lack of crispness and velocity has meant Fabinho has more regularly lost possession of the ball, which has also led to a lack of attacking threat going forward.

Whilst this is true, it definitely isn’t solely Fabinho’s fault. As Cascarino says, he has become overworked in recent seasons. The lack of rotation as the side’s defensive midfielder has meant the former Monaco man has become burnt out.

Consequently, an additional player to swap with when needed would allow time for rest that he so desperately needs to get back playing to his best.