Liverpool midfielder Fabinho did a stellar job filling in at centre-back as the Reds coasted to a 2-0 win against Chelsea yesterday evening.
The Brazilian was a surprise inclusion in the backline following injuries to Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, and he looked totally at ease in his new role, coping well against the threat posed by Timo Werner.
After the game, his centre-back partner Virgil van Dijk said he told Fabinho he deserved the man of the match award for his display, and many supporters on Twitter agree with him:
A masterclass today
— Nigel Jones (@OZ69LFC) September 20, 2020
Was so good i forgot VVD was playing
— JD13 19? #Unbearable ?? (@jude13jd) September 21, 2020
Fabinho no stranger to the CB role as kept Lewandowski quiet and Werner. He can still improve on a few things but a run of games at the back will only help. Let's see what Klopp comes up with against Arseanl next week.
— Nin☬Singh (@NinSingh888) September 20, 2020
— A7 (@A7LFC1) September 20, 2020
Rate him much higher as a CB ngl
— Mat (@lnvertedNumber8) September 20, 2020
Beast
— Stylistfadex? (@fadex_firmino) September 20, 2020
Also pocketed Werner and had an overall great performance. Ffs he won LFC MOTM
— JeremyLFC ???☘️ #BleedGreen (@salahstrim) September 20, 2020
i’ve got nothing against werner but the way fabinho pocketed him today was absolutely amazing
— Ohri (@ohrilfc) September 20, 2020
solid at cb should start more often
— ? (@lfcfamz66_) September 20, 2020
Should start as centerback now till he has a bad game
— . (@CuntMiguel) September 20, 2020
The 26-year-old certainly didn’t look out of place in the backline, but it is wise not to get too carried away with the performance. Chelsea played very defensively in the first half, meaning attacks were few and far between.
Fabinho certainly dealt expertly with any danger that came his way but, with the Blues going down to ten men at the end of the first half, it’s difficult to judge how he would get on against a more potent attack. Even so, it was an excellent example of how versatile he is.