Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has praised teammate Fabinho and said the Brazilian has responded magnificently to problems the team has faced this season, speaking to the club’s official website.
Henderson highlighted his fellow midfielder as the player who has helped Liverpool the most amid their injury crisis.
Jurgen Klopp has lost centre-back Virgil van Dijk to a long-term injury this season, with several other regulars missing plenty of action.
Joe Gomez is also missing with a knee issue, while right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold only recently returned from a calf problem.
Fabinho has also spent time on the sidelines recently but has returned to the starting XI. He has found himself helping out at the back alongside various central-defensive partners.
Fabinho setting the standard
Henderson said: “It might seem strange that I’m speaking of a Brazilian international in this manner. But, in its own way, this campaign has presented Fab with a different challenge to the one he has been used to since coming to Liverpool.
“And he has responded to it magnificently.
“It isn’t surprising he has reacted as positively as he has. Fab is a top-class professional and his skillset lends itself to playing in a number of roles.
“But his consistency in an unfamiliar role has been incredible – and long may that continue.”
More injury issues ahead of Tottenham clash
Yet another centre-back, Joel Matip, is an injury concern ahead of tonight’s meeting with Tottenham Hotspur. He left the field at half-time in Sunday’s draw at Fulham
The latest blow means Fabinho is almost certain to start the encounter at centre-back. However, Henderson believes there’s no better player to handle the pressure.
He said: “The standards he has set for himself – and which he reaches on a regular basis – have helped us to cope better than many had expected with the injury problems we’re having.”
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