Fabinho insists fourth-placed finish would be a SUCCESS for Liverpool in their Premier League title defence as he reflects on ‘injuries and bad moments’ Jurgen Klopp’s side have had to endure
- Liverpool’s 4-2 victory over Man United got their top-four hopes back on track
- Victory over West Brom on Sunday could bring them within a point of Chelsea
- The Reds endured a miserable start to the year but have re-found their form
- Fabinho says Champions League qualification will make a successful season
Champions League qualification would not only save Liverpool‘s season but render it a success, according to Fabinho, despite the Reds’ title defence falling flat.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are charging back towards the top-four after a mid-season slump left the campaign in tatters – being knocked-out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals and finding themselves 23 points behind Manchester City.
A thumping 4-2 victory at Old Trafford in midweek has ignited the qualification race with three games to go, and victory over West Brom on Sunday could bring Liverpool within a point of fourth-placed Chelsea.
Fabinho (left) has insisted Liverpool’s season will be successful if they make it to the top-four
The Reds’ 4-2 victory over Manchester United in midweek has brought them into contention
Asked by Sky Sports if a top-four spot is enough this season, Fabinho said: ‘If you asked me at the beginning of the season, I would say no.
‘At the beginning we are always optimistic, I would talk about winning trophies.
‘Right now, I would say yes because the season has been a little bit strange. After the injuries, the bad moments we’ve had, being in the top four would mean a success.
‘Now is the decisive part of the season. We have three finals to play, to win.
Fabinho has been among the players struck down by costly injuries at Anfield this season
‘We have to try and play our best football but in finals you have to win. If we don’t play our best but can get the three points, I will take it because that is what we need in this moment.’
Fabinho has been among the key victims of Liverpool’s injury curse this season, with the Brazilian forced to miss eight games this season and, when fit, being deployed at centre-back to fill-in for his stricken team-mates.
Missing-out on Champions League football will be costly for the Reds, who will be determined to respond emphatically next season when the likes of Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk finally return.