It could be argued that Liverpool don’t need to employ a specialist defensive midfielder in their easier home games. With them guaranteed to dominate the ball and their opponents almost certain to defend deep while looking to hit the Reds on the break, would they be better served by fielding a trio of creative players in their midfield three?
It would seem Jurgen Klopp doesn’t see things entirely this way. In his press conference ahead of the match with Newcastle, the Reds’ manager reflected on his side’s 9-0 victory over Bournemouth. “If we'd have won 1-0 I would have been over the moon. 9-0 didn't feel nine times better,” he said.
Klopp also pointed out the importance of the clean sheet, his team’s first for eight league matches. “5-0 at half time, sometimes the other team sneak one in, but the boys didn't let that happen. Clean sheets are for all of us,” he added. If there was one player who ensured the Cherries were shut out, it was Fabinho. He made five tackles, over twice as many as any other Liverpool player, and three of his tally occurred when it was already 6-0 (or better).
