Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to hail Fabinho for his role in the Reds’ 3-0 win over Burnley on Saturday evening.
The Reds maintained their 100% record at the top of the Premier League table thanks to a deflected own goal from Chris Wood and a tidy finish from Sadio Mane in the first half, followed by a late strike from Roberto Firmino.
But many Kopites were blown away by the contribution of an altogether less eye-catching talent.
Fabinho was immense throughout the game, and controlled the tempo with his usual mix of aggression and poise.
So far this season, the Brazilian has averaged 3.3 tackles per game, as well as a pass completion rate of 85.8%, as per Whoscored, and he looked equally brilliant against Sean Dyche’s men once again.
Here are some of the best tweets from the Anfield faithful.
https://twitter.com/VivaLaVidavid/status/1167849120314331137?s=20
Superb first half from the reds. Fabinho is running the show
— Alex Dickinson (@AlexJDickinson) August 31, 2019
Fabinho and VVD the absolute irreplaceable ones in the team.
— Sneh Patel?? (@snehliverbird) August 31, 2019
It took a while for the 25-year-old to settle in the Premier League, but now he has, he looks almost irreplaceable for the Reds.
He must be one of the first names on Jurgen Klopp’s team sheet, and his presence does a lot more than just break up play in the traditional number six mould.
Already this term, he has averaged 1.7 key passes per game [Whoscored], despite sitting in such a deep role, and having him in the engine room also allows for Jordan Henderson to be more adventurous.
The defensive stability he offers allows the captain to wander a bit more than he has in previous seasons, and create more himself.
Fabinho is top class , what a baller he is
— Eoin Healy ???????????? (@donerbox92) August 31, 2019
I could watch Fabinho play footy for hours. Still not fully appreciated at times.
— Ian Young ????? (@ianyoungkop) August 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/Kloppholic/status/1167851083345084417?s=20
Fabinho also boasts an impressive range of passing.
This term he has averaged 3.3 long balls per game, as per Whoscored.
The common perception of Klopp’s Liverpool is one of slick, short, sharp passing, but having somebody sitting in that quarterback role, distributing with class and consistency, allows the Reds to mix up their approach and fully utilise the pace of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane on the flanks.
That in turn makes the Reds a nightmare to set up against. Sit deep and they’ll maul you into submission, push on and players like Fabinho will pick you off over the top.
What an inspired signing he has turned out to be.
https://twitter.com/Sokol_is_Red/status/1167851802898903042?s=20
What a game.. Best first half game for liverpool i have watch soo far this season. Firmino doing usual business.. Mane on ??? and salah being unlucky but still good. Fabinho wow i love this player. Unto second half. Two more goals boys. #YNWA #LFC #BURLIV
— Albert Mensah ????? (@Shatta_Hammer) August 31, 2019