What Jurgen Klopp said about Fabinho following Saudi exit

Jurgen Klopp has commended Fabinho for his unselfish role at Liverpool after the Brazilian's move to Al Ittihad was confirmed.

Joining the Saudi Pro League side for a fee of £40m, Fabinho has brought his five-year Reds stint to a close - a tenure that was defined by its success.

Referred to as Liverpool's 'hoover', the Brazilian midfielder played a significant role in Liverpool's era of success, winning every major trophy available during his time at Anfield.

Having become a mainstay of Klopp's midfield, he now follows in the footsteps of Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino before him, accepting a lucrative deal to make the move to Saudi Arabia.

Paying tribute to Fabinho, Klopp has praised the 29-year-old for his selfless role in Liverpool's system.

"Of course we wish him all the best," he told the club's website.

"Fab was for so long the insurance we had more or less in midfield. He always gave us the freedom to play all the fancy stuff.

"He was involved in that from time to time as well but loved to be the hoover for the team, loved to do all the dirty work for the team.

"Together with the centre-halves, when both full-backs were flying right and left, all the strikers, all the midfielders somewhere and then just Fab and the two centre-halves when it looked, 'Oh OK, if we lose the ball, there's still a few players at least who can sort that.' And he was massive."

The Liverpool boss continued by insisting that while the Reds will miss their 'lighthouse', life is about change.

He added: "We will miss him, definitely. But again, it's like it is. Life is about changes – that's always – and you obviously have to adapt to them.

"If you don't do that, if you stick in the past, something will hold you back – and I'm not that person.

"We will miss Fab – but Fab will be fine, we will be fine and we always will be thankful to each other. That's, for me, very important in life."