If Liverpool's collective dip in standards during the first part of the season set alarm bells ringing among supporters, there was one player in particular who prompted greater concern than most.
Now Fabinho believes he is ready to turn the tide as he returns to the venue that arguably sparked the sequence of events leading to his troubling slump.
Back in May, the Brazilian lasted just half-an-hour into the 2-1 win at Aston Villa before pulling up lame with hamstring trouble. He was eventually rushed back in time for the Champions League final against Real Madrid, but was clearly not 100%.
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Fabinho, never the quickest getting up to speed during pre-season, was then hampered by both the shortened summer break and preparation time, the false dawn of the Community Shield win over Manchester City exposed when way off the pace in the Premier League opener at Fulham. Indeed, within weeks the midfielder had been benched for the trip to Old Trafford.
There were, though, some signs of improvement heading towards the World Cup, where Fabinho featured only in Brazil's 1-0 group defeat to Cameroon. And after an encouraging appearance from the bench for the second half of the Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City on Thursday, the 29-year-old is primed to help Liverpool move up the Premier League table.
“I felt good in the game against City," said Fabinho. "I was, I think, in the mood to play this game, I really wanted to play and try to help the team. I think for the first 45 minutes (back) I am happy with it physical-wise and with the level of intensity as well so, yes, if I am selected for the next game I think I’ll be ready.
"It’s always hard to play against Aston Villa. It will be an away game but we know our position in the Premier League, we need to win to change this. Yes, they have a good team and with the time that they had with the World Cup, Unai Emery (worked on) his way to play so we have to prepare and be ready to play as well and try to win the game.
"I hope (the break) will be good for the team because our position in the Premier League is not the position that we wanted it to be. But this is the reality - we have to face it, we have to try to close the gap to the other teams and yes, game by game try to play better and win."
While Liverpool saw their reign as Carabao Cup holders ended by the 3-2 defeat at City, Fabinho believes the overall performance from Jurgen Klopp's side can set the tone for the remainder of the season.
"In the game against City it was (important) to show that we are there, that we will fight with the best teams because we are one of the best teams as well," said the midfielder, speaking to liverpoolfc.com. "So, yes, I hope that we will keep this level because we will need it.
"To have this as the first game back from the World Cup I think was good for us. The intensity of the game was really good, we played a really good game, we had our chances, we scored two goals, we could have scored the third or even the fourth goal, but it didn’t happen. It’s never good to lose, it’s never good to be out of one of the competitions, but we have to look forward."
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