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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Richard Garnett

Andy Robertson's former team-mate makes Liverpool midfield claim

Fabinho could be deployed as a midfield 'dog-handler' against Inter Milan on Wednesday evening, according to a former team mate of Andy Robertson.

Ex-Republic of Ireland international David Meyler, who played alongside Liverpool's first choice left-back in his Hull City days, was a guest on Irish football show On The Ball, where he was asked about Liverpool's midfield and attacking options.

And despite naming one midfield trio as his favourite, Liverpool-supporter Meyler then suggested that Jurgen Klopp could pick a different option for tonight's first leg.

READ MORE: Liverpool line-ups as Luis Diaz decision made and new midfield unleashed on Inter

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When asked to picked a third midfielder to sit alongside Fabinho and Hendeson, he said: "I'd probably go with Thiago, just for that extra bit of quality that he has over Henderson in terms of unlocking defences. His ability with the one-twos, that kind kind of eye of needle pass he can see and pull off.

"I think those three compliment each other well and are Liverpool's best best three."

After show host Kenny Cunningham argued that Thiago was the least effective defensively, Meyler looked to expand on his reasoning and chose an altered midfield for the Inter match.

He added: "I agree with Kenny. There's been several times when Thiago has played when he's gone to get the ball off the back four and he's tried to be a bit expansive and he's given away the ball. He's given away a few needless freekicks on the edge of the box, a penalty here and there.

"As a number six outright I wouldn't feel as confident as if I had Fabinho or Henderson. That's why I would play him more advanced. But a lot of if comes down to your opposition. Thiago has had a wonderful career with Barcelona. They dominated 99% of their games with possession so it was easy for him to play.

"If we look at Liverpool going to Milan - does Jurgen go with him? No. I wouldn't be surprised if Jurgen probably played, and I genuinely mean this, Fabinho, Henderson and Milner and tried to get three workhorses in there.

"Fabinho sitting there like a dog handler holding the two dogs on a leash, letting them go here there and everywhere, just to create that work ethic and drive."

In a wide-ranging interview, Meyler paid tribute to Jurgen Klopp's football philosophy and felt that it was a style that most sides are now trying to emulate.

He said: "Do you not think that there is this perception that teams have to play a particular way? Jurgen is a master at it - what he did with Dortmund, what he's done with Liverpool over time. He's been able to get Liverpool's front three to press, midfield - they're all workhorses.

"If you look at Fabinho, he's an ideal number six, he's one of the best in the world at it. He doesn't have a lot of pace but he reads the game better than a lot of people do.

"Henderson is the one who plays on the the right of the three and he covers for Trent Alexander-Arnold a lot and allows him to get forward. Why? Because he understands his role but he also understands the attacking threat that Trent brings with his assists and his goals.

"Jurgen has found the balance. If you look at it, that's why a lot of people say when Henderson doesn't play you notice there's a massive imbalance in their side. That's a huge part."

The former Hull midfielder, now 32, also revealed how Robertson and teammate Harry Maguire were not the characters they are now in their earlier years.

He said: "Going back to that time, they were young lads. Harry didn't speak much, Robbo certainly didn't speak for the first four months. The bubbly character that you see at Liverpool now, he came out of his shell after about five months (at Hull).

"But they didn't speak a lot in those early days. There were no egos in that changing room. We were just a great group of lads. We were very fortunate."

Kenny Cunningham asked Meyler about how he sees Liverpool's tie against Inter going and for his overall thoughts on the Merseyside club's prospects for the season.

On both counts he was hugely hopeful for a successful season.

He said: "I'd be confident. The good thing is the second leg is at Anfield and we all know what Anfield's like on a European night. It's obviously going to be a tough game. Inter have gone through a massive change since winning the league title, with (Antonio) Conte leaving.

"But certainly Liverpool are in a good place. What I love to see is, after the African Cup of Nations, Salah is on the phone saying look I want to play in the next game. I'm flying straight back. I don't need rest, I want to get myself back in.

"Of course he's got his own individual targets with the top goal scorer. He feels that Liverpool can win the Premier League and can catch Manchester City. He feels that they can win the Champions League.

"Then you look at Mane, obviously he's had that huge week scoring the winning penalty (at AFCON) then he's back and starting at the weekend. That's where Liverpool are at. Everything is going in the right direction.

"You've seen the signing of Luis Diaz, he's been very impressive. Harvey Elliot coming back. I think we saw the over day Jurgen had a fully fit squad to pick XI from for the first time in a very long time, which is a massive plus.

"The games come thick and fast. Liverpool will want to continue this form in the Champions League, they'll want to go on and win it.

"They're nine point behind City with a game in hand. They play City in April, so they're massive games and he needs a fully fit squad that he can rotate.

"The signs early on are that Luis Diaz will fit straight in. He'll be like another Diogo Jota, which is massive because Liverpool have never really had that kind of back up player for Mane and Salah.

"If you look at Firmino, he's in and out of the team when he was always the mainstay and that's down to the form of Jota.

"It's great to see that Liverpool do have these five or six options up in the front three places and competition is always healthy for a squad."

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