Liverpool midfielder Fabinho has upped the ante in his performances recently and the statistics are there to back it up.
It was thought that the Brazilian’s best days are shadow over him and that he is passed his prime, but the displays on show at the moment disprove this myth.
German boss Jurgen Klopp has put his full trust in Fabinho and is hopeful that he has discovered his world-class form.
“It’s obvious. Now everybody can see Fab is getting back; that’s exactly what we need obviously,” said Klopp.
“You cannot explain it really, it’s just there, it happens. I was so happy about the last game of Fabinho, to be honest. So happy.”
Out of 45 players in the Premier Leauge who deploy similar positions, statistics from Comparisonator show that Fabinho is performing at the top of his game in a defensive aspect.
Fabinho ranks second place in ball losses per 90 minutes with a low score of 2.71.
Only Romeo Lavia from Southampton ranks higher.
The 29-year-old puts up 5.74 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, which ranks him seventh in the list.
Most importantly, Fabinho’s ability to recover the ball in the opponent’s half is where he shines the most – with 2.41 per 90, making him the second-best in that attribute against the other 44 players.
He has been scrutinised for his form this term, along with the majority of the Liverpool squad, with claims that they are ageing and therefore too lacklustre to perform in such a combative division.
But these statistics go against the grain and show that the former Monaco player is advancing his game.
Those supporting the club will hope that this form, reminiscent of his glory days, will continue in Liverpool’s search for Champions League qualification this term.
