Former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson has called out Liverpool midfielder Fabinho for his performances this season.
The Reds have had a disappointing start to the campaign, with a 3-3 draw at home last weekend their fourth of the season in the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp’s team are ninth in the table after seven games, and while they won in the Champions League against Rangers on Tuesday night, they have had problems in Europe as well, enduring a 4-1 thrashing in Naples.
And after allowing three goals against Brighton & Hove Albion, Klopp appeared visibly irritated with his midfield – particularly Fabinho.
When asked by Football Insider about how he felt the Brazilian was performing this season, Robinson said: “Fabinho was one of Liverpool’s best players last year.
“He is one player you always want fit and in the team.
“Nobody at Liverpool is playing well. Klopp is clearly not happy with the way they are playing.
“Fabinho was one that looked off at the weekend. It is harsh to single just him out though because they have problems all over the place.
“The back four is being exposed, though, because they are not getting the protection from Fabinho and the other midfielders. There is not the protection that there has been in previous seasons.”
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Prior to the visit of Rangers, Fabinho had made eight starts, including each of the Merseysiders’ first two Champions League games this season.
Klopp switched from his usual 4-3-3 formation to a 4-2-3-1 in need of a win.
Jordan Henderson and Thiago anchored the midfield, while the forward line included Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez.
The change clearly worked, while former professional Curtis Woodhouse praised Henderson’s performance in the first 45 minutes as ‘outstanding’, suggesting that Fabinho’s place in the team could be in jeopardy.
With Klopp saying that he wants his team to “defend differently“, it’s possible that he’ll stick with this newly adapted formation, but it’s unclear what that means for Fabinho moving forward amid this criticism.