Fabinho enjoying new Liverpool role as he fights for first-team place

Liverpool‘s new Brazilian midfielder Fabinho has insisted he is happy to fight for his place in the first team at Anfield. 

The four-time Brazilian international had to settle for a place on the bench in Liverpool’s Premier League opener against West Ham on Sunday, with Jurgen Klopp feeling a pre-match illness hampered his ability to start the game.

Georginio Wijnaldum, Naby Keita and James Milner were preferred in midfield, but Fabinho is not worried about the amount of competition he faces – with Jordan Henderson also in the squad – and thinks that so many good players are positive for the team.

He told Premier League Productions (via Goal): “When I came to Liverpool I knew this competition would exist in midfield and I think it’s really good for the team.

“If anything happens to a player, there’s adequate cover. During pre-season I played alongside a variety of different players and we blended really well. So, overall, I think it’s a good thing for the team.”

The ex-Monaco man, who won the 2016/17 Ligue 1 title with Les Monegasques, also praised his Liverpool teammates for the help they have given him, during pre-season, adjusting to a different system under Klopp.

He added: “It’s a different playing style than at Monaco; there were two of us in midfield there and here at Liverpool there’s three.

“My midfield partners have given me guidance and assistance, as have the defence. I knew [my role] would change and I feel I’ve adapted well. You seek guidance and help from the players around you and that has worked really well up until now.”

Fabinho has won 100+ tackles and been directly involved in 10 goals in each of the last three league seasons:

15/16: 108 tackles; 6 goals, 4 assists
16/17: 113 tackles; 9 goals, 1 assist
17/18: 114 tackles; 7 goals, 3 assists

Added value. pic.twitter.com/qSBIzmUIoo

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 28, 2018

Liverpool’s next game is away to Crystal Palace in the first Monday night fixture of the new Premier League season.

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