By Goal.com News on Saturday, 26 December 2020
Category: Goal.com News

Second Premier League title win would be more special for Liverpool than the first, says Fabinho

The Brazilian has played a key role in the Reds' latest title charge and feels he is growing into his defensive role in Virgil van Dijk's absence

Fabinho says winning the Premier League again this season would be even more special for Liverpool than their maiden title in 2019-20.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are four points clear at the top of the table ahead of the Boxing Day fixtures, having won their first title of the Premier League era last campaign.

It has been a difficult title to retain in recent years, with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side the only team to win back-to-back English top-flight titles in the last decade.

The Brazilian believes that joining that elite club would mean his side went down in history alongside the best of the best.

“Yes, this team will be remembered for how well we play, the quality of our football and for winning the title,” Fabinho told the Daily Mail.

“But to fight for the second one would put us further in to football history. It would put us up there with teams in the Premier League that have won back-to-back titles. Teams like Manchester City.

“It would put us on the higher level and put us with the best teams in the history of the league.

“Taking into account everything that has happened this year, the difficulties of no fans in the stadiums and the busy run of fixtures and injuries we have had, it all adds to making the second title more special than the first one if we could do it.

“It would show that we have this constant desire at the club to be winners.”

If Liverpool do go back-to-back, Fabinho will doubtless be hailed as one of the heroes of the campaign.

He helped steady the ship after the injury to Virgil van Dijk, and has earned comparisons to Liverpool’s Dutch rock with his assured performances.

“That's funny because some of my friends have joked about that,” he said. “Recently they sent me a montage they made. It was Virgil's hair and my face!

“When I came in, I felt good and comfortable and over time it's got easier. When Virgil got injured, I expected to come in as centre-back and even the other players were joking. They were saying: 'Fabinho the defender is back, he is here'.

“I was nervous at first but I think I have grown into it.

“Virgil is the one player you don't want or expect to be injured. Last season he played in all 38 league games. He is never tired, never injured and the one you can always rely on. He really is the leader and when you lose someone of those qualities it's a great shock.

“We were just shaking our heads at the time and didn't want to admit it was true. I remember hearing the news reports and hoping they were false.

“Immediately after his injury, he didn't say too much but after a few games he sent me a message congratulating me and saying I was playing well. That was great to hear.

“Now I just want to be able to watch his game and pick up things I should be doing, particularly the passes he makes. I would like to do that.

“He is the best in his position so it's important that I look to his game.”

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