02/11/2018

Fabinho – An Analysis

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Article by Edward Stratmann – @EdwardStratmann Fabinho’s accomplished performances against Red Star Belgrade and Cardiff City have vindicated Jurgen Klopp’s decision to exercise patience while he adapted to life at Anfield. Not only did he have to adjust to his manager’s meticulous demands, but also to a completely unfamiliar culture, environment and language. Indeed, when speaking to ESPN Brasil earlier this week, Fabinho admitted how tough he initially found things, while importantly insisting that he is now up to speed, however. “I’m very happy to play my second match in a row as first-choice, played the full match. It is very good for me,” Fabinho explained. “This moment to adapt, it hasn’t been easy — many times you are out, there were many times I wasn’t [picked]. But I tried to learn from all this, tried to give my best during practice. The coaches were very nice to me, they didn’t let me get down. I worked to be well prepared. Of course it’s not possible to be always called, but whenever the coach needs me I want to be ready for it.” Fabinho’s unquestionably repaid his manager’s faith in him, for he’s undertaken his responsibilities in these two starts with aplomb, looking every bit the class act that Liverpool shelled out £43.7 million to acquire. Defending with proactivity, sound positional sense and intensity when required, he’s offered stability and protected his backline brilliantly, ensuring they’ve rarely been exposed to threats that originated in his designated area of operation. It must be said, although he hasn’t had a power of stopping work to do, he’s crucially been effective when called upon. Exercising sound judgement when to step out and respond to a pressing trigger, hold his post, shift across laterally, cover any teammates’ blown marking assignments or give support in transition, his decision making has been of the highest order. In addition, the way he’s used his languid frame and timing to win challenges, both in the air and on the ground, plus reacted so quickly with his counterpressing, which has seen often win the ball back in advanced areas, have only amplified his worth. Fabinho counter pressing

His polished statistics illustrate his defensive aptitude, for he’s averaged eight tackles per game, 11 ball recoveries pg, 4.5 interceptions pg and won three aerial duels pg over the last two games. Meanwhile, the Reds have reaped the rewards of his presence on the offensive end too, with the former Real Madrid and AS Monaco man acquitting himself wonderfully in this phase. Calm, collected and considered in his output, he’s remained remarkably relaxed in the face of pressure, as he’s coolly resisted his opponents efforts to dispossess him before assuredly executing his actions. Technically superb and forever scanning his surroundings, these two characteristics have allowed him to receive possession cleanly with his head up while having a strong mental imagery of where his teammates and adversaries are located. This then guarantees he has a firm idea of what to do depending on the circumstances he’s confronted with. He’s then either smartly evaded or gained separation from his marker through a crafty dribble (he’s completing 2.5 dribbles pg) or smoothly pinpointed a colleague with his customary precise distribution. A key byproduct of him being so unfazed when harried has come from how he’s used his opponent’s pressing of him to manufacture a free man or open passing lanes further upfield. Importantly, Liverpool’s attackers and midfielders have notably given him many options to explore with their fluid movement and understanding. Weighting and directing his passes ideally for his teammates to control easily and on their preferred foot, Fabinho’s got the finer details spot on. Moreover, his capacity to connect, construct and animate due to his his neat range of passing has caused additional menace for his opposition on his way to registering 2.5 key passes pg and 84 passes pg at a 94% clip. Fabinho line breaking pass

Supplementing the afore with his intelligent movement, he’s expertly positioned himself to receive in advantageous areas to help progress attacks. What’s more, when he’s been man marked, he’s used this to draw his tracker away from the middle to either open passing lanes or generate room for his centre backs to dribble upfield into. Fabinho makes pass lane

Fabinho space for van Dijk’s dribble

Demonstrating a budding understanding of his teammates’ tendencies, Fabinho’s performed many incisive rotations with his midfielders and attackers too that have been vital in terms of dismantling defensive blocks. Fabinho and Lallana

Fully aware of his talents, Klopp’s recent comments depict how highly he rates the new signing, asserting: “He has all the qualities – hard challenges, good offensively, good defensively, quick, good shooter, fantastic set pieces, good header; all these things. Strategic too, he is good strategically in the right moment. He’s just a fantastic addition.” Although there’s only a small body of evidence to judge him on so far, all the signs are positive that Fabinho’s undeniable quality will continue to shine through as time goes by. All it took was Klopp giving him a little time to settle while he assimilated into life at Anfield. All statistics provided by InStat Article by Edward Stratmann – @EdwardStratmann