Fabinho so much more than just a CDM as Liverpool display vs Spurs analysed

Liverpool conceded after 47 seconds on Sunday, but the team's response to that early setback was almost machine-like.

‪Tottenham managed to gain the lead through Harry Kane, but as a consequence of Spurs attempting to write their own script at Anfield, the North London club were forced to spend the following 90 minutes resisting the inevitable.

‪Mauricio Pochettino's side were coerced into experiencing a monotonous existence, whereby the play would follow the same repetitive theme, lacking any variety or disruption.

‪The Reds would attack, then attack again, before attacking once more.

The home team ensured that pressure was consistently placed on the opposing defence by sustaining attacks incessantly, with that level of detention made feasible by one player in particular - Fabinho.

‪The Brazilian operates at the heart of ‪Jurgen Klopp's midfield, as a reference point for the system that defines every other player's movements.

‪Since being signed from AS Monaco, his governing presence in the centre of the park has provided a base from which his teammates can work from.

‪Fabinho's ability to combine defensive output with offensive traits is currently unrivalled in the Premier League, with most deep-lying midfielders of his type falling short in at least one of those areas.

‪The common orchestrator who dictates play with possession usually requires others to compensate for his deficiencies without the ball, while the atypical defensive destroyer tends to lack coolness, vision and technique on the ball.

‪Fabinho is unique in the sense that he's able to perform as a hybrid of the two without any struggle to cope with the demands on his shoulders.

‪Against Spurs, Liverpool embraced risk in possession due to the insurance that Fabinho offers whenever the ball is loose.

‪The 26 year-old was constantly positioned in the middle of the pitch, always with immediate access to problems which allowed him to oversee his team's final third exploits to ensure that once a risk is taken, a platform is present for the next to follow accordingly.

‪Pochettino's side continued to try to escape from Liverpool's hold, but that simply afforded Fabinho with opportunities to showcase his awareness and read over situations, with his actions shown below.

Most of those events originated near the edge of the final third rather than within Liverpool's half, with numerous recoveries made that approved yet another offensive wave. Fabinho routinely instigated and coordinated moves, while sweeping up and restarting any attacks that failed to unfold as planned.

‪Spurs had to comply, because they seemed to have no choice.

‪The midfielder prevented counter-attacks from materialising throughout, while his on-ball display illustrated how to contribute effectively to breaking down a stubborn defence.

His passing network from the clash is pictured below, which clearly offers an insight into the degree to which his passing varied.

The Brazilian international refrained from dwelling on the ball, with his actions involving quick passes from flank to flank, as well as lobbed passes over Pochettino's defence.

His contributions in possession bound Spurs into stretching as a unit from side to side and back to front, with three shot assists posted, one of which involved supplying Jordan Henderson for the team's equaliser.

Fabinho's integration has been slow, but he's since has developed into Liverpool's final third authority. Opposing teams have to cope under duress for large periods as a consequence of his presence, while also being opened up by his passing quality in possession.

Supporters of the Anfield club remain inclined to reminisce about midfield make-ups of the past, with Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano perhaps being the most recent heroes of note. In Fabinho, though, the club now seem to have a player who's able to personify each of the valuable traits that have been lost since the trio's departure.