Patience is a virtue.
You would think that spending over £40million on a new midfielder would guarantee them a place in your starting eleven.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to weird and wonderful world of Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool fans have so far been forced to wait to see their new signing Fabinho make his Premier League bow.
They should be prepared to wait even longer.
The Brazilian was expected to be a guaranteed starter following his move from Monaco.
However, Fabinho has failed to feature in either of Liverpool’s opening four games so far, not even making the bench for the clash with Leicester.
‘What is Klopp playing out?!’ you’re probably crying out right now, as you clutch on tight to your Jay Spearing shirt from 2010/11.
Well, who are you to doubt the main man? After all, it’s not the first time he’s done something like this…
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It turns out that the charismatic German has a lengthy-history of treating his new players slightly differently.
Just ask Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Andy Robertson.
The Ox arrived at Anfield from Arsenal for an almost identical fee as the one paid for Fabinho. Omens.
Having spent six seasons at the Emirates, Chamberlain admitted himself that there was to be an inevitable period of adaptation following his move.
Klopp held his new signing back from the rigour of first-team action, with Chamberlain not playing 90 minutes until the 4-0 humbling of Bournemouth in December.
With Liverpool’s perpetual motion playing style not the easiest system to be dropped into, Klopp had a master plan.
The German gave assurances to Chamberlain that his bench role would just be a temporary fix, allowing him to suitably adapt to Liverpool’s system in training.
It’s safe to say that it worked.
The Ox went onto become one of Liverpool’s best players in the second half of the season.
His nonstop pressing and forceful runs from midfield helped guide Liverpool to the Champions League final. Klopp knows.
The widespread disappointment that came with the news of a season-ending injury for the midfielder shows just how highly thought of he is at Anfield.
Chamberlain’s plights during his early days at Liverpool are almost identical to Robertson’s.
The new recruit from Hull City was an in-and-out figure for much of the opening period of the season, failing to make the match-day squad on multiple occasions.
Robertson was even second choice to Alberto Moreno, such were the extremes Klopp was willing to go to in order to prove his point.
Having made just two Premier League appearances by the start of December, Robertson was now ready to be let off the leash.
The marauding wing-back went onto become a mainstay in the side, popping up with one goal and five assists during the rest of the campaign.
Klopp’s treatment of a new arrival had been vindicated once again.
He became a cult hero after this…
Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson and even fellow new arrival Naby Keita, are, according to Klopp’s team selections, more capable of performing in Liverpool’s system.
They might not be as talented as Fabinho, however their understanding of what the manager wants is above and beyond the Brazilian, or currently is anyway.
Just as it turned out to be for both Chamberlain and Robertson, this could yet be another tactical masterclass from Klopp.
Allowing sufficient time for Fabinho to adapt in training, as well as observe during matches is crucial.
Klopp is keen to ensure that his new signing isn’t thrust into a system he’s not ready for and suffers, leading to criticism as a result.
Have faith in the process.
READ MORE FROM THE WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WORLD OF DREAM TEAM:
- Liverpool’s upcoming nightmare run of fixtures could decide their title fate
- Celebrating ten seasons of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery’s incredible double act
- The success stories that prove Genk is an absolute breeding ground for talent
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