Klopp uses Rashford as example to struggling Fabinho

JURGEN KLOPP hopes Fabinho can use the example of Marcus Rashford to rediscover his best form.

Fabinho, 29, has gone from being a key figure in Liverpool’s success to being kept out of the team by 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic. His fall from grace hit rock bottom in the FA Cup defeat at Brighton last Sunday, when he was lucky not be red-carded for a reckless challenge on Evan Ferguson.

Klopp admits Fabinho is one of several Liverpool players who have failed to hit the heights of previous seasons but believes the way Rashford has turned around his fortunes at Manchester United is an example they can use. ‘He knows he’s not flying and he has to work his way back,’ said Klopp. ‘He’s not the happiest person on the planet but he understands the decision not to pick him. In this position, you need a guy who wins challenges, who protects everybody, but who plays football as well. For plenty of years Fabinho has been the best in that position. ‘At the moment, it’s not clicking. Some players haven’t reached the levels they have reached for us over the past five or six years. It’s not unusual. One of the best examples is Marcus Rashford. The season he had last year and the season he is having this year, I’m not sure he can explain it. You have to fight and work through it.’ With Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk ruled out by injury, Joel Matip will be recalled alongside Joe Gomez in Liverpool’s back four at Wolves today.