Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will select Fabinho alongside Jordan Henderson in the centre of defence against Manchester City if the Brazilian is fit to start, according to The Athletic journalist James Pearce.

After signing Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies on deadline day, it was expected that at least one of two new recruits would be involved this weekend but Pearce is backing Klopp to go with experience:

“If Fabinho is fit I think he’ll play him with Henderson at CB on Sunday.”

Selecting either Kabak or Davies for their debut in such a big game would have been a baptism of fire so it is not entirely surprising that Fabinho would be Klopp’s go-to man for the City clash.

The Brazilian international has been sidelined for three league games after sustaining a muscular injury but it is thought he should be available for Sunday’s game. Even so, the fact that he will go into the match, having not played for two weeks, won’t be ideal.