“Gave us the freedom”- Jurgen Klopp bids farewell to Saudi bound former Liverpool hero

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp bids adieu to Fabinho as he secures a move to Al Ittihad

As Fabinho bids farewell to Liverpool and embarks on a new chapter with Al Ittihad, Jurgen Klopp took a moment to pay tribute to the 29-year-old midfielder.

Speaking to liverpoolfc.com in Singapore, Klopp expressed warm wishes for Fabinho and his future endeavours.

“Of course we wish him all the best.

“Fab was for so long the insurance we had more or less in midfield. He always gave us the freedom to play all the fancy stuff.”

“He was involved in that from time to time as well but loved to be the hoover for the team, loved to do all the dirty work for the team.”

“Together with the centre-halves, when both full-backs were flying right and left, all the strikers, all the midfielders somewhere and then just Fab and the two centre-halves when it looked, ‘Oh OK, if we lose the ball, there’s still a few players at least who can sort that.’ And he was massive.”

Klopp acknowledged the vital role Fabinho played in the team, describing him as the insurance in midfield that allowed the rest of the squad to shine. He credited Fabinho for providing the freedom to execute the team’s intricate playing style, ensuring that all the fancy stuff could come into action.

The Brazilian midfielder was not just a key player in the attacking aspect but also excelled in doing the dirty work for the team. He embraced the role of a “hoover,” tirelessly cleaning up and supporting the team defensively.

Obrigado Flaco!

Amidst the attacking prowess of the full-backs, strikers, and midfielders, Fabinho was the rock that solidified the defence. He worked seamlessly with the centre-backs, forming a formidable defensive unit that gave Liverpool confidence even during intense counter-attacks.

The German manager recognised the massive impact Fabinho had on the team’s success, highlighting his pivotal contributions to Liverpool’s achievements over the years. Fabinho’s reliability and defensive acumen surely made him a crucial part of the squad’s structure and strategy.

As Fabinho departs, Liverpool will undoubtedly miss his immense presence on the field. His departure creates an opportunity for other players to step up and fill the void left by the Brazilian midfielder. Klopp will certainly be looking to strengthen the squad’s midfield options and get on board a defensive midfielder to ensure a seamless transition and maintain the team’s competitiveness in various competitions.

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As far as the squad is concerned, it is extremely important that we balance out the losses of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and James Milner with some experienced campaigners. Even though we have the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai now, the balance in midfield is heavily skewed towards youngsters. While that is good for the future, we need to ensure composure and stability as well.