Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has heaped praise on midfielder Fabinho for his impact in the Reds’ 2-1 win over Tottenham in Sunday afternoon.
The Brazilian was introduced with 13 minutes left on the clock, and played a vital role in turning the tide of proceedings and helping his side force a late winner against the visitors.
As quoted in the Liverpool Echo, Klopp said: “A proper impact. But he only had to play 15 minutes against a tired side but he was brilliant. He won a lot of really good balls and passed the ball.
“First half we had very good moments but not enough. The boys who started the game did really well.
“And if you bring a sub, they have to make an impact, that is the plan. That’s why you bring them, and it was obvious with Fabinho.”
OPINION
There will be a lot of talk in the coming days about this Liverpool win, and there will be a lot focus on certain big name players. Virgil van Dijk was, unsurprisingly, brilliant, while Andy Robertson and Roberto Firmino also shone, but in truth, Fabinho played just as big a part as any of his teammates, despite only being on the field for about a quarter of an hour. Liverpool were really struggling in central areas up until the point that he was introduced, but the Brazilian really managed to sure things up in the engine room, and helped to restore a more promising balance of play for Jurgen Klopp’s men. The only real question was why he wasn’t starting from the off, and after Sunday’s performance, his manager will know better than to leave him out of the starting 11 again during this crucial title run in. Fabinho was the unsung hero at Anfield this weekend.
