Liverpool fans have been waiting for the induction of Fabinho into the midfield since the start of the season and it finally seems like the time has come.
Despite starting in only two competitive games this season, the Brazilian has already shown glimpses of what is to be expected, especially when played in a double pivot shape alongside Gini Wijnaldum.
Although it might be too early to predict what the midfielder could bring to the Liverpool side, his two recent performances have shown that he is capable of replicating the role and style of former Liverpool defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano.
Fabinho is a natural defensive midfielder who boasts multiple defensive attributes, game intelligence and the ability to read the game in deeper areas.
In the last two games, we have seen how he provides a good cover to the back four as well as providing a creative spark deep from the midfield. Although he is a little bit slower, his intelligence and technical ability complements this. He moves well to cover the fullback positions when they overlap into the attacking phase and this will make the side less vulnerable in transitions.
Taking the Champions League game against Red Star as a reference, we can see how Fabinho’s defensive attributes are a level above the other Liverpool midfielders. The Brazilian won a total of 18 duels including nine tackles and six aerial duels.
Liverpool have for a long time lacked a natural defensive midfielder who is capable of breaking up play and winning duels in the middle of the park and with the Brazilian, they may have found a long-term solution in that department.
Fabinho’s game by numbers vs. Red Star:96 touches72 (90%) passes completed9 (75%) tackles6 (100%) aerial duels won2 chances created1 interception1 clearanceCrazy numbers.
pic.twitter.com/UEopx9rmE0
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 24, 2018
Another improvement that Fabinho has brought to the Liverpool midfield is creativity from deep. He has shown that he is capable of attempting more risky passes to try and find teammates in pockets of spaces in the final third. Although not a skill that he will be required to execute so often due to his natural role in the midfield but a midfielder able to break the lines by penetrating passes to attacking players is something that Liverpool struggled with massively especially when dealing with low defensive blocks.
Out of the 72 passes he completed against Red star in his first Champions League start, more than 20 of them were on the final third while he also managed to create two goal-scoring opportunities. He also completed the most passes to the attacking players than any other midfielder.
Fabinho also provides control and dominance in the middle of the pitch. The Brazilian is capable of winning and recycling possession. He is someone who can dictate the game, slow down the game when needed, maintain and retain possession and consequently launch attacking moves from deep. This has been clear in the games against both Red Star and Cardiff City.
The Brazilian has already shown that he is able to control the tempo of a game and can be a great asset in finishing a tight match off.
Liverpool often struggled to control games last season leading to unnecessary dropped points in game-winning positions and this is something that could be avoided once the Brazilian settles into the side.
