Fabinho reveals how long Klopp had been planning position change

Fabinho, Jurgen Klopp Liverpool

Fabinho has revealed that Jurgen Klopp has been molding him into a defender ever since he arrived at Liverpool.

The Brazilian midfielder is having to cover in defence at present due to Liverpool’s crisis at the back, which has seen them lose Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez to long-term injuries.

Fabinho has received praise for his performances as a centre-back, even though it is not his natural role. And with it still being unclear if Liverpool will go into the market for a defender in January, he may have to continue in the position for some time.

While he is still adapting to the role, though, Fabinho insists it is nothing new.

“My debut as a defender was here at Liverpool. I think two years ago,” he told Esporte Interativo (via Sport Witness).

“And since then I always do some training, especially when one or two injuries occur. To be used to it.

“We never know when we will need it, and I hope we never need it, that we don’t have so many injuries. But the coach has already prepared this since my first season here.

“From then on, the times I played it was a little easier, I was a little more used to it. Communication with the other defenders was always very important, I always tried to learn a lot from the other defenders too.

“Now my companion has been Joel Matip, the communication with him works very well. Not only with him, with the players around me there, which is always important.

“It’s a delicate situation about injuries at the club, so I’ve been playing in that position lately. I’m here to help and that’s it.”

 

 


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Fabinho plays down Klopp, Tite rift

Fabinho also reflected once again on being the subject of a public disagreement between his managers at club and international level.

When he picked up an injury of his own in October, Klopp suggested it would not matter much to Brazil boss Tite, whom he hinted does enough opportunities to Fabinho.

The former Monaco star admits he does want to be involved with his national team, but that Klopp maybe had an over-reaction.

“Klopp had a hot reaction there. He’s always very angry when a player gets injured,” he added.

“He had this question about the national team and he answered that way. I can’t control what my coach says, he’s already an older guy, he knows the responsibility of what he says.

“As I said, being with the national team is one of my goals. I will always fight to be there, to be participating. I don’t know if I’m going to play, but I will always strive to be there and to help in the best way.”

READ MORE: Fabinho named as Liverpool’s ‘most important’ player