Liverpool midfielder Fabinho will “definitely” not play against Arsenal next week, according to James Pearce.
The £100,000-a-week ace [Spotrac] has been an ever-present for the Reds in both the Premier and Champions Leagues so far this season, and has impressed immensely during that spell.
But Pearce has suggested that he will be given some respite against the Gunners in the Carabao Cup last 16.
Writing in a Q&A for The Athletic, responding to a fan who suggested the Brazilian was now as undroppable as Virgil Van Dijk, he said: “He’s so integral to this team now and the VVD parallel is spot on.
“Fabinho covered more ground than any other LFC player v Genk.
“He will definitely get a rest for the League Cup tie v Arsenal next week.”
OPINION
Fabinho has been immense so far this season, so it’s probably little surprise that he has played so many games already. The Brazilian has established himself as one of the key figures in Jurgen Klopp’s squad, and it’s not hard to see why. So far this term he has averaged a pass completion rate of 87.%, as well as 2.7 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game, as per Whoscored. In short, he is the glue that holds this side together, and his ability to break up play and get his side moving in the other direction could prove to be absolutely vital if the Reds are to go all the way and win a Premier League title. Fabinho is only human, however, and a game off once in a while wouldn’t do him any harm, so perhaps giving him a breather against Arsenal is a smart idea.
