Was Fabinho impressive last night? Or did he struggle…?
It seems to be a subject dividing opinion.
The Brazilian missed a penalty (and it was a stinker, to be fair), but was largely solid from what we saw – taking up smart positions and providing a platform from which his team-mates could play.
Anfield Index thought he was great and you can listen to their excellent podcast on his Anfield debut by following the link in this tweet:
Listen to brilliant post-match podcast on @AnfieldIndexPro🎧
Topics: Fabinho 🇧🇷 Shaqiri 😍 Sturridge 🚀
Sign up here: https://t.co/7rDnyH6CkA
And check out the snippet below – it's quality stuff 🌟 pic.twitter.com/UCkTX88I8m— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) August 8, 2018
He was run past on a few occasions, but at the end of the day it’s a pre-season friendly and he’s not going to be playing hell for leather. The 24-year-old’s cameo at centre-back was solid too, suggesting Jurgen Klopp thinks he’s an option in this role should none of Virgil van Dijk’s partners be fit enough for the weekend.
The Echo gave Fab a five, along with a prediction that he won’t be in the side for Sunday:
‘Started here but won’t be starting against West Ham on this evidence. Clearly yet to come to terms to Liverpool’s style of play, and even the chance to bolster confidence resulted in a bad penalty miss. Dropped into centre-back after the break.’
Most supporters online drastically disagreed with this statement, suggesting he was actually very good.
We’d sit somewhere in the middle, to be honest. If Jordan Henderson had put in that performance, he certainly wouldn’t be eulogised, but it was solid and restricted our opponents, which is the job of an anchorman.
https://twitter.com/Kloppholic/status/1026939869661155328
https://twitter.com/CallumWright__/status/1026935653295181824
Please, please, please can we not go from Henderson vs. Can to Henderson vs. Fabinho.
Fabinho’s made an unspectacular start but will be superb, Henderson remains important moving forward.
Appreciate both.
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) August 7, 2018
Guys don't blame the people who are saying Fabinho is bad. We haven't had a top CDM at our club for years now, people have forgotten how a good one plays like. If you're still wondering how a top CDM plays watch Fabinho in pre season, he's done it every game.
— Anfield Agenda (@AnfieldAgenda) August 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/MattOrdish/status/1026930943632859136
https://twitter.com/emptyMINDZ/status/1026937542539661314
So Fabinho dominated the midfield then dominated as a CB in the same game & people didn’t think he was that good?
This just gets worse. These fans must be new ones that switched from Chelsea as they are now shite. Fuck off back to supporting them please
— Darwinho (@Dijkinho) August 7, 2018
This midfield combination has a really nice balance to it. Fabinho anchoring, allowing Keita & Wijnaldum the freedom to burst forward and link up with the attack. Would like to see this trio start vs West Ham on Sunday.
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) August 7, 2018
Genuinely shaking my head here reading some of the 'reviews'/ criticism of Fabinho.
Do people actually understand the game?
— Jonathan Higgins (@Jhiggins3) August 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/CatherwoodDay/status/1026954258908946432