Lots of Liverpool fans want to see key man Fabinho left out of their game away at Aston Villa this weekend, with the Brazilian just one booking away from a suspension.
Should Fabinho be booked in the game at Villa Park, he will miss the home game against title rivals Manchester City at Anfield and many feel that he is too important to be without for that game. The defensive midfielder is prone to yellow cards, so many Liverpool fans want to see the 26-year-old rested tomorrow.
The defensive midfielder joined from Monaco for around £39 million and has been a huge success since, helping Jurgen Klopp’s side to successive Champions League finals. Fabinho has enjoyed a terrific start to the season and was named man of the match for his display against Spurs last weekend.
The former Monaco man, who is valued at £45 million (as per Transfermarkt), has averaged a 7.08 rating so far, currently the best average rating of any Liverpool midfielder. It is unsurprising therefore that many Liverpool fans feel he is vital if they are to beat Manchester City when they meet on the 10th of November.
When fans were asked whether they would rest Fabinho ahead of the top of the table clash, many felt that the Brazilian international simply has to play against City, so would leave him out of the Villa game as a precaution.
Some of those responses from Reds fans can be seen in the tweets below.
Leave out. We’ll need him for City.
— Liverpool Australia (@LFC_Australia) October 31, 2019
I’d play Chamberlain, Gini and Hendo against Villa and Milner in the second half replacing Gini or Chambo, but we can’t risk Fabinho, we just can’t and I hope Klopp thinks the same…
— 6 Times (@JoN_S97) October 31, 2019
Leave him out. Villa ain’t bad but we just need him against City.
— Nick Verhellen (@NickVerhellen) October 31, 2019
Gini starting at 6, Fabinho in a big glass case on the bench with a hammer next to it saying ‘break in case of emergency’ and if anyone tries to break it Klopp snarls at them.
— Ste Davies (@StevenD1977) October 31, 2019
Rest for the villa game to much to risk, really missed him at the etihad last season
— Morgan (@MorganCampbel) October 31, 2019
Leave him out. Hendo as 6 and Ox comes in. Far too important for the city game.
— Dean Leyland (@daleyland) October 31, 2019
It seems clear from these tweets that the majority of Liverpool fans would be happy to see him miss the Villa game, with many confident they can get the three points without Fabinho in the side.
What do we think?
Fabinho has been so important for Liverpool ever since signing and when he missed the game against Manchester City last season, Liverpool lost at the Etihad, which was their only defeat of the season. However, momentum is very important in football and the Reds may have to be at the top of the game if they are to win at Villa Park. It would be a surprise to see him dropped entirely and Klopp may just have to trust the Brazillian not to get booked, but if Liverpool are winning comfortably it will be no surprise to see the 26-year-old substituted.