Fabinho has already taken a few hits for his part in Liverpool’s 3-3 draw against Brighton, although critics arguably should be looking in a different direction.
With only one duel won (out of three attempts), according to SofaScore, Jordan Henderson failed to provide the defensive solidity some had hoped his return to the XI would topple the right-back.
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Looking at the numbers posted by his fellow midfielders (Thiago Alcantara won nine of their 11 duels on the ground and Fabinho four of four attempts), it’s not hard to see where the Reds were struggling in particular.
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Once again we saw an opposition team successfully target their attacks down the right flank, a reality hardly helped by the fact that our captain was struggling to help his teammates defensively.
That’s not to say our holding midfielder was much better, though it’s hard to see how we’ll continue to ask Trent Alexander-Arnold to press high up the pitch without some sort of guarantee of defensive solidity in his vacant spot.
Of course, it would also border on madness to suggest that Scouser should be dropped given what he offers this Liverpool side in possession.
Liverpool’s big problem may already have been resolved after Merson noted the international break advantage.
