Fabinho's importance to Liverpool's team cannot be underestimated

Shortly after Liverpool lost the 2018 Champions League final 3-1 to Real Madrid, the club signed Fabinho from Monaco for a transfer fee of €45 million.

The midfielder played a pivotal part in helping Monaco claim the 2016-17 Ligue 1 title. Fabinho averaged a WhoScored player rating of 7.51 across the aforementioned season.

Therefore, we knew Liverpool had signed a player of immense quality. But, it was Jurgen Klopp's comments following the arrival of Fabinho which gave us the confidence that he would be able to deliver at Anfield.

“We have signed a fantastic player, but someone who is an equally fantastic person I think,” the manager told the club's official website.

“His reputation as a character in the dressing room and his attitude in training has come through from everyone we speak to."

Klopp added: “He has ability and mentality to play at the highest level in a number of positions. He can play ‘6’, ‘8’ and ‘2’. This is cool.

“He is tactically very strong and football smart. I think he improves our squad and there aren’t that many players you can say that about in this moment, because the quality we have already is so high.

“I like that he is young yet experienced also, with a high number of games at a club that compete to win. Also, international caps for Brazil tells you something about him."

Since then, Fabinho has gone on to make 150 appearances for the club's first-team. The Brazil international is not the most eye-catching footballer that Liverpool possess.

As footage proves, Fabinho sits in front of the back four and does a great job at breaking down any potential threats from the opposition.

Fabinho ultimately does all the dirty work, which allows the attacking players to flourish. When he breaks down an opposition threat, the Reds are on the attack again.

Without Fabinho, we are confident that the Reds would not be the side that they are today.

Since the midfielder's arrival, Liverpool have won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Premier League title.

We don't believe that it is a coincidence that Liverpool have had a fair bit of success since Fabinho signed for the club.

Also, the Brazil international has proven to be a versatile player. Liverpool were without Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez for a large portion of last season. The centre-backs were all injured.

With that being the case, Fabinho played in the heart of the club's defence at different times. He looked right at home playing at centre-back. The aforementioned statement can be backed up by Reds goalkeeper Alisson.

As quoted by the Daily Mail, the shot-stopper said: "If it's a surprise for you [Fabinho's ability at centre-back] I would be surprised, because he is a top player.

"Anywhere he played, from number six or centre-back, he always does his best and his quality permits him to play in different positions."

Fabinho has added more goals to his game this season. Before the 2021-22 campaign got underway, the midfielder had scored three goals for Liverpool. However, Fabinho has found the back of the net six times in 28 appearances this season.

The Brazilian keeps on improving as a footballer. Fabinho is only 28 years of age, which does suggest that he still has plenty of time left in his career.

The midfielder renewed his contract back in August 2021. Fabinho should be a Liverpool player until June 2026.

We look forward to watching him strut around Anfield in the years to come.