Jordan Henderson has called his Liverpool team-mate Fabinho the "best in the world" in the defensive midfield position.
The Brazil international has been in fine form for the Reds in recent weeks, earning him praise from his peers as well as the English media.
Henderson, when talking about Fabinho, heaped praise on the holding midfielder and thinks he is now the strongest player on the planet when it comes to his position.
"When you’ve got someone like Fabinho in team, who for me is the best in the world in that position, he’s incredible and he's a huge player for the way we play," the Liverpool captain said on BT Sport.
"When I play, having him behind you it’s amazing really. It’s an incredible feeling to be able to go off and sort of press do your thing going forward."
One man who might have something to say about that is N'Golo Kante. Although the Chelsea midfielder would never say it himself, the Frenchman is well regarded as one of, if not, the best defensive midfielder in world football.
The 30-year-old, during his five-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge, has won five major honours and has also established himself as a world-class midfielder.
Kante's energy in midfield sees him take up positions all over the pitch, which does raise the question if he is more of a box-to-box player than a holding one.
Regardless of what he is, Cesar Azpilicueta, when speaking in May 2021, described Kante as the best in his position.
Speaking after the France international's imperious performance in Chelsea's Champions League final win against Manchester City last year, Azpilicueta said: "It's straightforward, yes [he is the best in the world].
"He does everything. The energy he brings, I do not know how many ball recoveries he had today. The way he drives the ball forward, he covers so much ground.
"It is special to have him. Of course, when we do not have him, we miss him. After winning the World Cup and now Champions League, he is still so humble as a person.
"I am so happy for him, he is a massive part of this team and I am very happy to have him next to me for a few years."
Fabinho and Kante look set to go head-to-head with each other later this month when Chelsea meet Liverpool in the 2021/22 Carabao Cup final at Wembley - in what could be an intriguing battle in the middle of the pitch.
