SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 17 hrs 36 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
BL
Premier League | Gameweek 22
Jan 12, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
LL

0-1

 
FT(HT: 0-0)
Salah (50' pen.)

It's clear Fabinho can play in central defence, says Reds boss Klopp

:Headline: It's clear Fabinho can play in central defence, says Reds boss Klopp: ID:346731: from db_amp
The Brazilian looked assured alongside Virgil Van Dijk in the hard-fought win over Brighton.

Jurgen Klopp believes Fabinho has proved himself a genuine option at centre-back for Liverpool after his impressive stand-in performance at Brighton.

The Brazil midfielder was pressed into service as an emergency central defender at the Amex Stadium, but produced an assured display as the Reds prevailed 1-0.

Liverpool returned to winning ways to strengthen their position at the top of the table after defeats to Manchester City in the Premier League and Wolves in the FA Cup.

Fabinho even produced a match-saving block from Pascal Gross as Mohamed Salah's penalty proved decisive on the south coast, leaving manager Klopp delighted with his showing.

Asked if Fabinho could play in defence again if needed, Klopp replied: "He is a brilliant player and I am happy that he can play (against Brighton) – it's now pretty clear (that he can play in defence).

"It's not like it came one attack after the other from Brighton. We had the ball most of the time, so then it makes sense to have a good footballer in that position.

"I think Brighton tried a little bit to bring the long balls and (Glenn) Murray around him. That's what they did, by the way, against Joe Gomez in the home game as well.

"He did well in these situations and with the ball it's absolutely clear. He has a defending brain and can do it in different positions, it's good."

Fabinho stepped back into defence as Liverpool edged out Brighton 1-0 on the south coast (Gareth Fuller/PA)

England full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered an injury scare in the warm-up at Brighton, stepping on the ball.

Klopp confirmed the 20-year-old picked up an ankle concern, but he remains hopeful he will not to lose the talented right-back for any future fixtures.

"The last situation warming up, I think he stepped on the ball, I didn't see the situation, I only saw him going down," said Klopp.

"Trent on the ground – he's a hard boy so that's not a good sign and the doc came, something with the ankle.

"And it was pretty painful. He made the sprints, but I didn't like the way he did the sprints because when he slowed down, I thought it looked a bit like limping.

"In the dressing room, he told me the pain is away, then doc made a little treatment, made a strapping, go out.

"I don't know exactly what it was and I hope it will not take long, that he doesn't feel it any more."

Brighton boss Chris Hughton was frustrated his side came away empty-handed despite a regimented performance.

"We restricted them to minimal chances and our discipline was really good," said Hughton.

"On the balance of play I thought we deserved to get something from it.

"We went for it in the latter part of the game and showed a real intent to get back on level terms.

"And I thought we deserved to get something."

amp_article__346731 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-01-14 07:11:55:
html db last update - 2021-03-11 06:13:15 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Jurgen Klopp

Click here for more stories about Liverpool

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .