Gabriel Martinelli was asked to pick his favourite Brazilian of all time in the Premier League.
Former Liverpool star Fabinho didn’t make it to the end, but he was taken over Chelsea’s Ramires, and over Tottenham cult hero Lucas Moura.
Speaking to Sportbible, Martinelli explained: “I would say Fabinho because I’ve played against him, and I know how hard it is to play against him in the midfield.”
During his time at Anfield, Fabinho was the great stabiliser of an often frantic Liverpool side under Jurgen Klopp. Nice to see him getting the recognition.
It does open the floor to a current-day conversation about why Ryan Gravenberch isn’t the player to take the mantle from his predecessor.
Who is your favourite Liverpool icon?
Some number nines in their day 👏
Luis Suarez of Liverpool poses with the match ball after scoring a hat trick at the end of the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion at Anfield. Fernando Torres of Liverpool puts his arms up in frustration during the Barclays Premier League match between Wigan Athletic and Liverpool.
Credit: John Powell/Liverpool FC/Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Watching Ryan Gravenberch shows what Liverpool had with Fabinho
Last season, Gravenberch was one of the best players in the Premier League.
The Dutchman exploded onto the scene after a quiet first 12 months at Anfield, and quickly became an indispensable cog in the Slot machine.
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But that was at a time when Liverpool were making mincemeat of most every team they faced.
Ryan Gravenberch passes the ball for Liverpool during their Premier League match against Newcastle United at Anfield.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
This season, the team is struggling, and it has shone a light over some holes in Gravenberch’s game as it pertains to the number six role. The defensive role is limiting Gravenberch, who is clearly an elite midfielder but one who is at his best driving forward with the ball and operating between both boxes.
With Fabinho, the job was simple. Sit in front of the back four, offering protection and distributing to the players further up the pitch. He was a crunching tackler and as strong as anyone.
Ryan Gravenberch 25/26 PL stats (per 90) Fabinho 20/21
1.73 Tackles 2.04
1.42 Interceptions 1.54
4.69 Duels won 5.12
57.5% Duel% 55.1%
0.35 Blocks 0.35
That’s not Gravenberch, and while his defensive numbers (via Fotmob) would tell you he’s almost as effective as the Brazilian, the eye-test tells a different story.
Then you factor in the opportunity cost of wasting his skillset.
So what to do? Well, it’s quite simple. Liverpool need to sign a defensive midfielder in the summer and unleash the current role-filler further up the pitch.
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