Mark Lawrenson is gutted by the news that Liverpool midfielder Fabinho is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury in the 1-1 draw with Napoli on Wednesday.
Liverpool confirmed on Friday that Fabinho will not play again this year as he recovers from ankle ligament damage.
Lawrenson has been full of praise for the injured Brazilian but still predicts the Reds to win 3-0 against Brighton at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
“It will be interesting to see whether Brighton will be as open and play from the back as they have been when they face Liverpool,” said Lawrenson on the BBC Sport website.
“The Seagulls have an attacking threat but Liverpool are of the mindset they can blow sides away.
“They may be without Fabinho for this one and he is a huge loss – he has been one of the players of the season – but I can’t see his absence having an impact on the outcome of this game.”
OPINION
Fabinho is definitely going to be a huge loss for Liverpool – Lawrenson has got that right. The former Monaco midfielder has been one of the best players at not only Anfield this season, but in the whole of the Premier League. No one breaks down attacking plays like him and moves the ball on so effortlessly and the Reds are going to miss that for the coming weeks while Fabinho recovers from this injury. It will be interesting to see who Jurgen Klopp uses instead of the Brazilian maestro. Adam Lallana has played in a deep role at times this season while Naby Keita and James Milner could also be options. It does show that there is a lack of depth in that part of the squad though and although Fabinho should be back to full fitness in January, it remains to be seen whether or not Klopp will try to add some more strength in depth in the winter transfer window.
