Alisson has heaped praise on Fabinho after the midfielder’s ‘monster’ performance as a makeshift centre-back against Chelsea and says his fellow Brazilian deserved to win the man of the match award at Stamford Bridge.
Fabinho filled in alongside Virgil van Dijk – with both Joe Gomez and Joel Matip ruled out through injury – and the 26-year-old impressed to keep the likes of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz at bay as Sadio Mane’s second-half brace sealed all three points for the visitors.
Gomez started Liverpool’s previous game against Leeds United and could return to face Lincoln in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night but Jurgen Klopp should have no concerns about continuing with Fabinho at the back following his accomplished display in west London.
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‘He was a monster this afternoon! Unbelievable, but it’s what I expect of him,’ Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson told the club’s official website.
‘If it’s a surprise for you I would be surprised, because he is a top player.
‘Anywhere he played, from No.6 or centre-back, he always does his best and his quality permits him to play in different positions.
‘He’s a really smart player on movements and also one-v-ones. That was needed against Werner, against Havertz and the other players with really good quality, so I congratulate him as he was in my opinion man of the match.’
Van Dijk agreed that Fabinho should have been named man of the match instead of Sadio Mane for his performance in Liverpool’s 2-0 win.
‘Outstanding,’ the Dutchman said of Fabinho’s display.
‘I just told him as well I think he was man of the match today.
‘To keep a striker like Werner, don’t let him score, a bit unlucky with the penalty incident, but overall he was outstanding.
‘We were a bit unlucky with the injuries now but hopefully everyone comes back, it’s going to be such a long season.’
