Jurgen Klopp drops hint at where he'll play Fabinho for Liverpool

The Brazilian put pen to paper on a long-term deal to become Klopp's first signing of what is expected to be a busy summer

Tuesday 29 May 2018 04:28 EDT
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Jurgen Klopp has hinted he could play new signing Fabinho in as many as three different positions at Liverpool.

The Brazilian put pen to paper on a long-term deal to become Klopp's first signing of what is expected to be a busy summer in a deal understood to be worth in the region of £45m.

The man himself is "really excited" about joining "a giant of a team" and backed himself to win titles with the Merseyside club following their disappointment in the Champions League final in Kiev at the weekend.

Boss Klopp believes the 24-year-old possesses a mentality and a verstaility which will benefit his existing squad.

"We have signed a fantastic player, but someone who is an equally fantastic person I think," he told Liverpool's official website. "His reputation as a character in the dressing room and his attitude in training has come through from everyone we speak to.

"He has a lovely family also - adding a person like this to our dressing room only makes us even stronger. What we have - in terms of our environment at Melwood and in the team - means anyone coming in must be of that build. They must be the highest quality person and player."

Fabinho graduated from the Fluminense academy as a right-back and persisted in that position until, after brief stints with Rio Ave and Real Madrid, blossoming as a defensive midfielder at Monaco.

Klopp added: "He has ability and mentality to play at the highest level in a number of positions. He can play '6', '8' and '2'. This is cool. He is tactically very strong and football smart.

Fabinho has become Liverpool's first summer signing
Fabinho has become Liverpool's first summer signing (Liverpool FC)

"I think he improves our squad and there aren't that many players you can say that about in this moment, because the quality we have already is so high.

"I like that he is young yet experienced also, with a high number of games at a club that compete to win. Also, international caps for Brazil tells you something about him. This signing gives us new opportunities and for that I am excited. I'm sure our supporters will make him very welcome and at home at our wonderful club and in our amazing city."

Fabinho played at right-back and centre midfield at Monaco
Fabinho played at right-back and centre midfield at Monaco (Getty)

Fabinho will link up with his new club on the same day as fellow midfielder Naby Keita, who agreed to join Liverpool from RB Leipzig last August.

He figures to be a replacement for Emre Can, who is out of contract at Anfield this summer and has been heavily linked with a move to Juventus.

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