2 years ago
378 Liverpool’s up-and-down season took another worrying turn on Saturday, after suffering a last-minute defeat to Leeds United.
It was a result that saw Liverpool sit closer to the relegation zone than the top of the Premier League.
Speaking on The Monday Night Club, Micah Richards was talking about Jurgen Klopp’s side.
In particular, Richards addressed Klopp’s problem in midfield.
Liverpool have once again had injury issues to deal with this season in the middle of the park.
Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have hardly been involved after both picking up injuries in pre-season.
Neither player was fit enough to be included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad despite now being back in training.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Thiago has once again been in and out of the team with injuries, as has captain Jordan Henderson.
However, Klopp has also had to deal with a massive drop off in form of Fabinho.
The Brazilian has been one of Liverpool’s star players over the past few seasons, but his form has seriously suffered this season.
Richards believes that Fabinho’s legs have now gone and he can’t run anymore.
The £39m midfielder has played more minutes than any other Liverpool midfield this season, but has looked a shadow of his former self.
Fabinho can’t run anymore – Richards
Speaking on The Monday Night Club, Richards said: “It’s quite strange isn’t it, we were talking about Fabinho about 18 months ago as being the best defensive midfielder in world football.
“He just looks like he can do all the same things apart from the legs.
“You know when you’re a midfielder and your legs just start to go, and you can’t get around the pitch as much as you would like, that’s what it seems to be.
“I think it’s difficult at times when he’s played (Fabio) Carvalho and Harvey Elliott, two more offensive (players), when normally he’s had a (Jordan) Henderson next to him or a Thiago next to him.”
As Richards pointed out, the inconsistency of Fabinho’s midfield partners hasn’t helped him.
Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
However, he doesn’t look like the same player as last season, and Klopp substituted him after an hour against Leeds.
TalkSPORT’s Scott Minto said after the match he was shocked at how bad Fabinho looked at the weekend.
Jamie Carragher was similarly shocked at how poor he was against Nottingham Forest.
Given the injuries around Fabinho, it’s so important that he returns to his best quickly.
However, if Fabinho can’t run anymore and cover the ground in front of the defence, Klopp will want a replacement quickly.
The post ‘It’s quite strange’: Micah Richards now thinks £39m Liverpool player just can't run any more appeared first on The Boot Room.
