Fabinho change for Liverpool can give Pep Guardiola and Man City something to think about

Fabinho found himself unwittingly at the centre of a curious and heated debate on Thursday. And it was all thanks to Jack Wilshere.

"Tell me a better DMF than Declan Rice right now?" scribbled the former England midfielder on Twitter. "Can't think of anyone can do what Dec can."

Cue the inevitable raft of suggestions to the contrary, many of which came from Liverpool supporters extolling the virtues of their Brazilian 'Lighthouse'. Wilshere, though, chose to double down on his assertion. "Doesn't have the presence Dec has," came the response. "Dec can do everything he can and more."

Let's hope the ex-West Ham United man didn't see the clip from less than three years in which no less than Rice himself declares Fabinho to be the best in the world in his position. And it was merely the latest example of how the Liverpool man perhaps isn't appreciated away from Anfield to the same extent as by those who regularly observe his performances.

Jurgen Klopp won't make such an oversight, the Brazilian almost certain to be one of the first names on the teamsheet when Liverpool travel to Manchester City in Sunday's seismic top-of-the-table Premier League clash.

Curiously, though, Fabinho has yet to truly be given the opportunity to shine in what by definition is the most difficult game in the Reds' season and a fixture that seems ready-made for his destructive - and creative - attributes.

The Brazilian was injured for last season's 1-1 draw between the sides at the Etihad, while the collective performance of the team in the 4-0 thumping there in July 2020 was very much that of one that had been celebrating winning Liverpool's first title in 30 years throughout the previous week.

And in January 2019, Fabinho began on the bench before