Three games have passed and Fabinho has yet to make an appearance for Liverpool.
Fabinho was expected to be a regular fixture in the Reds midfield following his £40 million move from Monaco in the summer but he has been made to wait for his competitive debut in England.
Fellow new signing Naby Keita has started each of Liverpool’s Premier League games this season in a midfield which has also included Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner while Fabinho failed to even make the matchday squad for Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Brighton.
It had been suggested that manager Jurgen Klopp was concerned about Fabinho’s ability to adjust to the physical requirements of the Premier League but the real reason for the 24-year-old’s absence is purely tactical.
Últimos preparativos. Tá chegando a hora! / Almost there! Looking forward to our Premier League debut. pic.twitter.com/HQJdI8lHGN
— Fabinho (@_fabinhotavares) August 10, 2018
Fabinho has admitted that he has yet to adapt to the three-man midfield which Klopp tends to utilise.
“I’m aware it’s a different playing style than Monaco,” Fabinho said. “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.
“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 them have very fast transition, with every fast players up front.
“I hope to be as important here as I was at Monaco.”
Ahead of this weekend’s win over Brighton, Klopp confirmed that Fabinho missed out on a place in the squad because he is still adjusting to the system that the Reds boss prefers, rather than any fitness issues.
“It is about players understanding the position and who else is available as well,” Klopp said.
“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.”
