Even those with only the most cursory of interests will be aware of Liverpool intending to revamp their midfield this summer.
And it would appear those currently patrolling the centre of the park for the Reds are very much aware of what may be about to come.
Not least one player in particular.
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Ever since the condensed and shortened pre-season, there has always been a sense Fabinho has been playing catch-up throughout the campaign.
Certainly, his alarmingly under-par showing during the opening game at Fulham set the tone for a difficult start – he was dropped two weeks later at Manchester United – from which the Brazilian struggled to overcome. And when the New Year saw him benched in favour of breakthrough teenager Stefan Bajcetic, a series of dispiriting cameos doing little to strengthen his case.
Fabinho, though, has never been one to shirk a challenge, whether that be in the midfield skirmish or his career in general. He’ll know that, with two or possibly three midfielders incoming during the transfer window, the competition for places will again intensify.
And as Liverpool have at least given themselves an outside chance of Champions League qualification with a strong sprint for the finishing line, so the 29-year-old has underlined his importance. Fabinho has played himself back into form, with this game at relegation-threatened Leicester City a 13th successive Premier League start.
It was arguably his best display of the season, the Brazilian snapping into tackles, reading the game well, anticipating danger and distributing with authority. Adapting to Liverpool’s new formation has also highlighted the positional intelligence that has long been his forte, and has given him greater freedom to his game with Trent Alexander-Arnold occasionally alongside him.
Fabinho’s contribution here was perhaps best underlined immediately after Liverpool’s second goal, when his instant high pressing created a chance that Cody Gakpo should really have scored.
And come the closing stages, he was patrolling the field with confidence and decisiveness. This was the Fabinho of old.
“You’re not fit to wear the shirt” sang the disgruntled home fans towards the final whistle as their team slipped ever nearer the trap door.
Fabinho, though, has shown why he very much deserves to continue donning the Liverpool red beyond this season.
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