Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said it was “a good start in the right direction” after Fabinho impressed the Reds in their Champions League win over Napoli.
The Merseyside outfit hosted Napoli at Anfield earlier this week in their final match of the 22/23 Champions League group stage. Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory over the Italian outfit, and Fabinho was impressive for Klopp’s men.
Fabinho has been criticized for his below-par performances for Liverpool this season. The Brazilian international has been present in all the games that the Reds have played so far this season.
Against Napoli, he produced one of his best performances, and Klopp was full of praise for the 29-year-old.
Jurgen Klopp praises Fabinho’s performance in Liverpool vs Napoli
Klopp called Fabinho’s performance for Liverpool against Napoli “absolutely good”. The Liverpool manager further said it was a step in the right direction for Fabinho.
“It’s good, it’s absolutely good,” Klopp said when asked about Fabinho’s performance. “The match was a clear sign of Fabinho and how we know him.
“It was a good game. We defended, in all positions, at a different level than the week before. Yes, it was good. It felt good, for him it was very important to realize that that was also possible, and that was a good start in the right direction.”
Meanwhile, despite beating Napoli earlier this week, Liverpool finished second in Group A behind the Serie A side. Both Liverpool and Napoli have 15 points from six games, but the latter edged out the former by the first place thanks to a superior goal difference.
Liverpool have an impressive record in the Champions League this season with five wins and one loss, but the same cannot be said for them in the Premier League.
The Reds have had a below-average run so far in the English top flight and are languishing in ninth place in the points table. The Merseyside team has 16 points from 12 games, with four wins, four draws and four losses.
Liverpool are already far behind in the race for the Premier League title. Arsenal top the table with 31 points from 12 games and enjoy a 15-point lead over Liverpool.
In the race for the top four, Liverpool are eight points behind fourth-placed Newcastle United, who have 24 points from 13 games.