Why Fabinho asked Jurgen Klopp a dilemma for Liverpool

There is no friendly match for Fabinho.

Even though no match or point was in play when Liverpool faced Borussia Dortmund on Friday, for the Brazilian, things went on as usual.

In league, cup, home, abroad, friendly or not, Fabinho treats each match in the same way. Nothing less than 100% commitment will do the trick.

All his trademarks were in a stifling Notre-Dame stadium: silence his opponents, create tackles, read the game and tick the ball.

Fabinho even did a little show with a smart rear wheel, and it's his great pbad in the area that was imitated by Ryan Kent for Harry Wilson to score Liverpool's first goal in a 3-2 loss.

Of course, the situation is quite different from that of last year when, having arrived to provide a balm after Kiev, the midfielder had trouble acclimating to the methods of Jurgen Klopp.

An unconvincing preseason led to a disappointing performance in the last friendly against Torino, his efforts being summarized by a missed penalty.

Then, without too much notice, the Brazilian disappeared from sight, failing regularly even on the bench.

Fabinho's pbadionate fans among Liverpool fans could not understand him. Where was he?

The Brazilian will later admit that his absence depended as much on his physical form as on his tactical problems, the intensification of intensity having also caused the initial difficulties of Andy Robertson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

It was not until mid-October that Fabinho sank in the Premier League. Even then, his starts were often limited to home games.

The defeat at Manchester City has become a watershed, the Brazilian making a positive difference to both the form and threat of Liverpool when it is introduced shortly before the hour. Since then, the debate about the possibility of trusting him in the big games is banned.

Fabinho's campaign in the Champions League was similar, starting only one match in his favorite midfielder role before the quarter-finals, after which he became a key figure for securing the sixth UEFA Champions League Cup. Europe in Liverpool, especially with his semifinal performance against Barcelona. .

The Brazilian has now become one of the first names in the team sheet, an integral part of the red machine.

And this has made Klopp a problem of sorts.

The specific skills of Fabinho place him by far the best defender of Liverpool's defensive midfield role.

Jordan Henderson, the former incumbent, was released to play his natural game higher.

We often forget that Gini Wijnaldum started last season under number six Liverpool. Adam Lallana was put to the test this summer until a dead leg prevailed over Dortmund.

None is as effective as Fabinho. Aside from the occasional rest, the Brazilian is now a must, leaving the other midfielders fighting over the two likely places.

Fabinho, the missing man from Liverpool, is now the man that no one can miss.