30 Jul 2020 09:34:30
Hi Eds,

Love the site!

Just a thought: with Fabinho playing CB for us in the past (although infrequently), do you think Klopp sees Lovren, our 4th choice CB as replaceable when needed by Fabinho, leaving us one short in midfield whose spot could be taken up by Thiago?

Think I’m just trying to rationalise the move for Thiago when we have a reliable midfield with 2 players for each position.

Cheers 👍🏼🏆.

{Ed001's Note - we don't really have a midfield replacement for Fabinho.}

1.) 30 Jul 2020
30 Jul 2020 11:23:19
Fab should be nowhere near CB unless there is a crisis. It is this type of thinking as in playing Fernandinho at CB cos Rodri arrived when Pep could not get a CB to replace Kompany in last summer, that partially cost City any chance of challenging us for the title this season, IMO.

Klopp wants Thiago cos there are certain attributes he has that can benefit the team, IMO. This is the only reason I can see for him going for Thiago cos on the face of it, this deal makes very little sense to me except if Gini is leaving and even then, wouldn’t we target someone younger? We shall see.

2.) 30 Jul 2020
30 Jul 2020 11:23:10
Hi Ed1, thanks for the reply. Fabinho is brilliant in that deep-lying role. Our midfield is pretty dynamic and I’m sure hendo can fill in the DM role if needed. Do you think us not having an out-and-out Fabinho replacement leaves us short in that position if he’s injured?

{Ed001's Note - very much so, Henderson's drive and energy is so much more useful to the team further forward, so it doubly weakens the team if we lose Fabinho.}

3.) 30 Jul 2020
30 Jul 2020 13:43:05
I could see Ibrahim Sangaré from Toulouse as good back up for Fabinho. Very similar attributes.

4.) 30 Jul 2020
30 Jul 2020 14:43:05
Henderson was magnificant in the holding role last season, even a step up from Fabs. Klopp stated Hendo really studied the role after Fabs came and really stepped up in that position. I thought he struggled for a couple of seasons in the number 6 position as its not his natural game. But i give him all the credit as he now can play both roles equally well. Fabs sometimes gets caught in the wrong position and is chasing back the wrong side. Hendo's positioning was great and his passing is one level above Fabs, and probably covers the ground quicker.

If only one could play I would now choose Hendo, what an 18 months he has had.

5.) 30 Jul 2020
30 Jul 2020 19:28:27
Spot on, Markp08.