Jurgen Klopp has said Trent Alexander-Arnold’s new role has benefitted Fabinho’s performances, with the Brazilian midfielder starting to look like his former self.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Liverpool boss claimed that the £43m player has improved in recent weeks since Alexander-Arnold’s position change, with the England international now playing more centrally rather than sticking out on the right.
With Liverpool winning their last four matches since the change, the Reds have benefitted massively from Alexander-Arnold’s new position, and Fabinho has now seen an uptick in performances himself, with the Brazilian previously enjoying a season to forget.
The former AS Monaco star had looked like a shadow of his former self for the majority of the campaign. However, since Alexander-Arnold’s move to midfield, Fabinho is now starting to look like the world-class defensive midfielder Liverpool fans have grown to love.
And Klopp has noticed the change as well, with the Liverpool boss saying: “The real reason for the improvement is the general defending. There are moments where we defend well and Trent can pop up in a different space. But it’s helped Fabinho as well. You can see how he’s flourishing now.”
Alexander-Arnold’s position change has improved more than just Fabinho
Alexander-Arnold’s move to midfield has been an inspired, albeit needed, decision from Klopp, and whilst Fabinho’s performances have improved, the Brazilian is far from the only player to have felt the boost of the 24-year-old’s changed position.
Curtis Jones has flourished alongside albeit Alexander-Arnold in midfield, and with the defender now not making the right-wing his own, Mohamed Salah has found himself with more freedom down the flank to cause some serious damage, with Liverpool reaping the rewards and then some.