Liverpool legend John Aldridge believes Fabinho was the best player in the Premier League in 2020.
The 27-year-old has been a priceless performer for the Reds, excelling both in midfield and at centre-back.
Fabinho has been forced to play in defence of this season, due to injuries to key centre-backs, but he has looked like he has played in the role for years.
Although there are more high-profile figures to have shone over the last 12 months, from Mohamed Salah to Son Heung-min, Aldridge told the Sunday World that Liverpool’s brilliant Brazilian would be his pick:
There was a lot of debate over who was the best player of 2020 and Jordan Henderson got a few nominations, but I’d be tempted to select another Liverpool player for that prize.
Bruno Fernandes has been superb since he arrived at Manchester United in January and the Tottenham duo of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have been top class.
Yet when I look at a player who has been most influential in the best team in the land, my focus falls on Liverpool’s flawless maestro, Fabinho.
He took some time to find his feet at Liverpool, but Fabinho’s importance to Jurgen Klopp’s side has been highlighted time and again in recent months.
This Brazilian was fantastic in midfield in the first half of 2020 and has been a maestro at the heart of the defence since Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez picked up season-ending injuries.
In fact, if all of Liverpool’s defenders were fit and available, Fabinho would probably be picked as Van Dijk’s partner ahead of everyone else and that says a lot about his performances.
He has barely put a foot wrong since stepping into the heart of the defence and he has been a great leader to guide youngsters Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams in the last few weeks.
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Aldridge makes a strong argument it is easy to agree with him, even though Fabinho is more unsung than others.
Without his superb performances in defence this season, Liverpool could be in a real mess – he has held the back-line together at times.
Not only that, but Fabinho is one of the world’s best defensive midfielders, mastering the role, from showing immaculate positional sense to possessing an underrated use of the ball. He has a 91.9 percent pass completion rate in the Premier League this season.
He is a colossal footballer who may not earn the headlines many of his teammates do, but there arguably isn’t a more intelligent player in Liverpool’s squad.
