'Definitely': Klopp insists Liverpool's £44m man will be ready to play the Champions League final

 

Jurgen Klopp is adamant that Fabinho will be ready to be part of Liverpool’s Champions League final squad at the end of the month.

Klopp was answering questions ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup final via Liverpool FC on YouTube. Asked for an update on the injured Brazilian, Klopp said his player will be fine.

“He will definitely be back for the final, for the Champions League final,” said Klopp. “(If he’s back) before, we will see, we don’t know.”

Asked how Fabinho has reacted to the injury, the manager gave a positive response.

“He’s absolutely okay, Fab is a professional. He was obviously not happy about it that’s clear but he’s already taking on the fight,” Klopp said.

Great news. Fingers crossed Fabinho doesn’t suffer any further set-backs before that.

Such is the quality of the players, there are a number of them who supporters would be absolutely loathe to lose for Liverpool’s Champions League final squad. Fabinho would surely be right towards the top of that list. He’s one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Liverpool’s number 3 has had another brilliant season. Not only have we seen his trademark shielding of the defence in full effect, but he’s also become a goal-scorer.

Fabinho has eight goals in 47 games for Liverpool this season. To put that into context, he had three in his previous 122 since arriving for £43.7m in 2018.

That isn’t his job of course, and it isn’t the reason Liverpool are going to miss him over the next couple of games. But the ability to pop up with a goal at a crucial time is something much-needed during finals. Fabinho has done that on a few occasions this season.

Luckily, it sounds as though The Reds will be able to rely on him once again in the biggest game of all in two weeks time.

In the meantime, it looks as though it will be Jordan Henderson who is asked to try to replicate Fabinho’s influence in the FA Cup final tomorrow.