1 PL start in 19/20: Klopp could lean on Liverpool man if Fabinho's injury is serious - opinion

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

The fact that Liverpool midfielder Fabinho had to be substituted off in the 19th minute against Napoli and then was pictured wearing a protective boot post-match isn’t a good sign, and if his injury proves to be serious then manager Jurgen Klopp could choose to lean on a man with only three starts to his name this season – Adam Lallana.

The former Southampton midfielder has unsurprisingly found his game-time limited so far in 2019/20, with the Reds unstoppable in the Premier League, although a little shaky in the Champions League.

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old has only featured for 304 minutes in total, with 180 of those coming in the Carabao Cup victories against the MK Dons and Arsenal.

His only other start came in the Premier League against Aston Villa earlier this month, when he played in a defensive midfield role at Villa Park alongside Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson, with Fabinho on the bench.

It’s fair to say that Klopp didn’t sound too hopeful when describing the Brazil international’s issue following the 1-1 draw with the Serie A giants, and should he be ruled out then the former Borussia Dortmund boss may be forced to lean on Lallana again.

He shouldn’t have an issue doing that either, even if we are approaching a crucial – and heavily congested – December and festive period for the Reds.

Klopp admitted back in the summer that he saw the No.6 role as one the 31-year-old could play, but that it must be a “very dominant game” for Liverpool.

Looking at the fixture list and given the Merseyside outfit’s top flight performances and results so far this season, upcoming home matches against Brighton and Hove Albion, Everton and Watford will certainly come under that category, while the trips to Bournemouth and Villa –again – arguably would, too.

Given how successful Fabinho has been in that position – 2.5 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 1.1 key passes per game in the Premier League, as per WhoScored, is testament to that – which has allowed Jordan Henderson to enjoy a slightly more advanced role, he would be no doubt be a huge, huge miss if his injury proves to be serious.

But Klopp has shown he isn’t afraid to place his trust in Lallana, and he may be forced to lean on him again if the worst happens.

In other Liverpool news, fans have been gushing over a Napoli player after Wednesday, and it isn’t Koulibaly or Mertens…

from FootballFanCast.com https://ift.tt/35KMPJI