Liverpool’s signing of Monaco man Fabinho generated a lot of excitement within the fan base this summer. Fabinho was one of the four players LFC added this preseason, comprising a blockbuster summer transfer window. Anfield won the window, and now heading into the international break, they’re leading the league.
Four games in, we have yet to see Fabinho in action though. He was an unused substitute on opening day, but failed to even make the last three match day squads. So what is going on with the 24-year-old Brazilian? Manager Jurgen Klopp provided an update.
“Nothing (is wrong with him medically),” Klopp said. “The team is good. He needs time to adapt. He could have been in the squad but it’s quite difficult when they are all fit.”
“It’s good to have the situation, but one needs more time or the others are already used to it. That’s the only reason. He will come back. He already makes big steps in the last few weeks. He could even play.”
With a fully fit squad, playing time within a crowded midfield is indeed competitive. Certainly right now when the Reds have just one game a week. Now comes another dull, tedious international break, but after that, heavy fixture congestion, and with it, plenty of opportunities for Fabinho.
He’ll be with Brazil for their upcoming friendlies against the United States on Sept. 7 and El Salvador on Sept. 11, and then Liverpool return to action against Tottenham Hotspur on Sept 15.
That match will be part of a five game in 15 day stretch that includes: league matches against Chelsea and Southampton, the start of the European campaign with a UCL group stage clash against Paris Saint-Germain and the beginning of the League Cup tournament with a third round clash against Chelsea.
Klopp envisions a ton of chances for Fabinho to see the pitch ahead.
“Hopefully, he will have games for Brazil and have that. Then it’s games, games, games and the whole of September — I don’t know how many, but a lot. We need all of them,” the German said.
“It looked like we didn’t need all of them because we played a consistent lineup, but the level in training was high [and] because of that, it’s all cool. Hopefully, they come back healthy and we have to use them all.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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