The masterstroke move Klopp played 10 games ago sealed a top three finish NewsNow
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The masterstroke move Klopp played 10 games ago sealed a top three finish

The masterstroke move Klopp played 10 games ago sealed a top three finish

Sunday saw Liverpool not only finish in Champions League qualification places but also move into third place.

The best thing about this summer is that with the Euros and the transfer window coming up, we can finally move on from the injuries that absolutely decimated the Reds' chances of success.

Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Jordan Henderson all underwent surgery this season to repair their respective injuries and these injuries (among others) saw Liverpool knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid and finish the Premier League season 17 points behind Manchester City.

While Mohamed Salah carried the front three and Nat Phillips emerged as an unlikely key player for Klopp in the last few months, Fabinho is the unspoken hero of the Anfield side's successful charge for Champions League qualification.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 23: Roberto Firmino, Fabinho and Thiago of Liverpool applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on May 23, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 23: Roberto Firmino, Fabinho and Thiago of Liverpool applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on May 23, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

In the 10 games since Fabinho returned to the midfield three, Liverpool have won 8 and drawn 2.

The two games they dropped points in, Fabinho was back in central defence which just highlights how important it is that he plays in midfield.

Not only does playing him at centre-back mean the midfield loses its bite but it also means that Thiago Alcantara was required to play as a no.6.

By playing Fabinho in midfield again, Jurgen Klopp unleashed Thiago on the Premier League which saw him score his first goal in Red while his pressing helped keep opposition sides penned in deep in their own halves.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 08: (THE SUN OUT,THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Thiago Alcantara of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on May 08, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 08: (THE SUN OUT,THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Thiago Alcantara of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on May 08, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool finish the season on 69 points, three points above former manager Brendan Rodgers' Leicester City. The Foxes lost to Tottenham on Sunday which allowed Chelsea to move back into the top four after the final day of the season saw several position changes.

Fabinho is the unsung hero of the last month but Jurgen Klopp also deserves credit. There isn't another manager in the world that could have secured a top-three finish with the injury crisis he's had to deal with this season.

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