Liverpool already have a superb deputy for Virgil van Dijk in their team, believes talkSPORT host Jason Cundy, who was impressed with Fabinho’s ‘excellent’ performance against Ajax.
The versatile Brazilian stepped into Van Dijk’s shoes for the Reds’ Champions League opener on Wednesday night, and put in a solid showing in Amsterdam.
In fact, it was a match-winning display from the 26-year-old, who came to Adrian’s rescue with a goalline clearance in the first-half after the goalkeeper was lobbed by Dusan Tadic, with Liverpool battling to a 1-0 victory thanks to Nicolas Tagliafico’s own-goal.
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Van Dijk’s ACL injury and the persistent injury troubles of Joel Matip mean we may be seeing more of the Fabinho and Joe Gomez partnership at the back this season, unless Liverpool do what they’ve told by fans and dip into the transfer market for a top-class replacement in January.
But, after the game Jurgen Klopp said he was ‘really pleased’ with Fabinho’s performance and revealed the Brazilian midfielder ‘actually really likes’ playing in that position.
And Sports Bar host Cundy was similarly impressed.
“I thought Fabinho was excellent tonight,” said the former Chelsea and Tottenham defender.
“Are they going to miss Van Dijk? Yes, of course they are; you cannot have a player of that quality without him being missed.
“But Fabinho slotted in perfectly against Ajax.”
Liverpool weren’t at their best against the Dutch giants, but Cundy argues that the Premier League champions didn’t need to be, as Tagliafico’s first-half OG settled it.
While the Reds have concerns at the back, with Van Dijk’s injury only making things worse following their leaky start to the season, there are no issues with their forward line despite the quiet showing in the Netherlands.
The own-goal came after a moment of magic from Sadio Mane, who blitzed passed two defenders before firing a shot that was unwittingly tapped in by the Ajax man.
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And the Senegal star has been hailed as ‘the complete player’ and ranked alongside Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne as the best in the Premier League.
“I don’t worry about Liverpool going forward at all, I think they’ve got enough,” added Cundy.
“For me, Mane is the best of the three. He’s a fabulous player
“There are certain players they miss and I don’t think I was a coincidence, and know they defended poorly against Aston Villa, but I thought it was a big miss. He sets the tone, he’s the catalyst.
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“He’s so good at keeping the ball, he’s got such balance, he’s incredibly strong, he’s got a brilliant touch, a great eye, he’s a brilliant finisher.
“In that system he is the complete player
“For me, Mane and KDB are probably the best two in the Premier League.”
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