Explained: Why Fabinho was always going to have to wait for his Liverpool debut

Fabinho has revealed that the reason he is yet to feature for Liverpool this season is a purely tactical one. 

After making his £40m switch from Monaco in the summer, the Brazilian was expected to be one of the first names on Jurgen Klopp’s team sheet this season.

However, he is yet to feature for the Reds, with Fabinho saying that he needs more time to adjust to Liverpool’s style of play.

He said (via JOE): “I’m aware it’s a different playing style than Monaco, there were two in midfield there whereas here at Liverpool there’s usually three.

“My midfield partners have provided me with guidance and assistance. So have the defence.

“I knew it would change and I feel I’ve adapted well. You seek guidance from the other players around you and that’s worked really well and I feel my performances in pre-season were good.”

Fabinho also pointed out a few similarities between the two teams that are helping him to catch up.

He added: “Although the systems are slightly different, there are similarities too.

“Monaco had a transition similar to Liverpool’s. I think the two teams can be compared in this way; both of them have a very fast transition, with very fast players up front.

“I hope to be as important here as I was at Monaco.”

Sweeping away any rumours about Fabinho’s fitness, Jurgen Klopp also confirmed that Fabinho’s exclusion was for tactical reasons.

Fabinho didn’t make the bench in their 1-0 win over Brighton on Saturday and the German manager said: “It is about players understanding the position and who else is available as well, otherwise Fabinho would have been involved in the squad, as he was in the first week.

“That is it. It is different football to what he is used to but he is improving already with big steps.

“I can see that in the sessions and that is cool.”

Klopp’s patience with new signings

This isn’t the first time Jurgen Klopp has made one of his new signings wait for his place in the Liverpool first-team.

When the German brought Andy Robertson to the club last summer, he initially began as an understudy to Alberto Moreno.

Despite making his debut in August 2017, it took an injury to Moreno in December last year for Robertson to win his place in Liverpool’s starting XI – the Scottish defender is now a mainstay in the side and finished up last season with 22 Premier League appearances.

The same can be said for goalkeeper Loris Karius, now at Besiktas. After signing at Anfield in the summer of 2016, Karius was expected to usurp Simon Mignolet between the sticks for Liverpool, with the Belgian being less than convincing.

However, Karius had to wait until the end of the following September to make his Premier League debut.

Liverpool’s next game is away to Leicester City on Saturday, and Fabinho will be keen to get involved with a side that has won three out of three so far this season.

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