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Stephen Warnock has claimed that Liverpool’s Fabinho is a massive help to teammate Thiago Alcantara.

27-year-old Fabinho has had to step in as an emergency centre-back for large parts of the season due to the injury crisis within the squad.

But his return to his preferred midfield position lately has coincided with some more encouraging results.

The Brazilian enforcer loves to sit in front of the back four breaking up play and dictating the ball from deeper midfield areas.

BBC pundit and ex-Reds defender Warnock is convinced that Fabinho return to the midfield is a big boost for central midfielder Thiago.

He feels that Reds midfielder Thiago, 29, is lacking somewhat with the defensive side of his game in his tackling, which is why he prefers him just in front of Fabinho in the midfield.

“Fabinho’s presence allows Thiago a little bit of freedom to be that player in Liverpool’s midfield three who advances up the pitch. That’s a good thing for a number of reasons,” Warnock told BBC Sport.

“Thiago’s a gifted passer who is willing to work without the ball, it’s just that he tackles like Paul Scholes used to – so very hit and miss.

“When he was the deepest player, the opposition were often able to get through to the defence very easily. Now, if you get past Thiago then Fabinho is waiting behind.”

TBR’s View:

Fabinho is the protective shield that makes everyone around him play better, so it’s massive for manager Jurgen Klopp to have him back in the centre of the park.

It’s a fair comment that Thiago’s not been as suited to the deeper midfield position, and some have been a little underwhelmed by his first season on Merseyside. Fortunately, Fabinho’s return should allow the Spanish ball player to thrive with more possession in better areas of the pitch.

Liverpool go into Tuesday night’s Champions League tie with Real Madrid a lot more confident they’ve now got Fabinho in the right position.