Tony Cascarino has claimed that Liverpool do not need to waste millions on a centre-back after Fabinho’s assured display in their win v Brighton.
The Brazilian midfielder was deployed in the unfamiliar role against the Seagulls but put in a solid performance alongside Virgil van Dijk as the Reds secured a 1-0 victory.
talkSPORT pundit Cascarino has now praised both Fabinho and manager Jurgen Klopp for his decision to play the £100,000-a-week star [Total Sportek] at the back despite his inexperience in that position.
In a column for The Times, he said: “Jürgen Klopp deserves a lot of credit for playing Fabinho at centre back against Brighton & Hove Albion — I don’t understand why more teams don’t do something similar.
“Yes he’s a defensive midfielder but they can do a job at the back. Most teams don’t play two strikers anyway these days and the likes of Fabinho, Nemanja Matic and Fernandinho could all do it. Liverpool don’t need to waste any money on a centre back this month.
“And, let’s face it, I could probably play alongside Virgil van Dijk.”
OPINION
You can see where Cascarino is coming from here, with Fabinho proving that he could be an option for the Reds at centre-back when called upon. The Brazilian’s versatility was well known when he joined the club, with the 25-year-old playing regularly at right-back for Monaco as well as in his preferred position in the centre of midfield. With regards to his comments about Liverpool splashing cash on a new centre-back this month, that has never really been on the cards. Klopp has been pretty clear that the Reds are unlikely to spend money this month, and if they were, it would be unlikely to be on a central defender. Klopp may be dealing with a couple of injuries at the back but with players like Joel Matip and Fabinho still available along with van Dijk, there is not too much concern at the moment in that particular area for the Reds.
