Fabinho hails Liverpool's strength in depth after struggles last year

Fabinho is talking about soaring confidence and strength in depth and what might be possible as Liverpool’s season approaches boiling point.

If there was a moment to epitomise the belief that is surging through Jurgen Klopp’s squad, Fabinho — the Brazil midfielder — provided it in the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, with an audacious Panenka penalty in their shootout triumph.

The mood within a squad that Fabinho believes has more quality than the one which won the Champions League in 2018-19 and the Premier League in 2019-20 has never been better, but it also feels appropriate to remember where Liverpool were on this day last year.

There was no excitement back then, only worries and frustration. Fulham, on March 7, had become the sixth consecutive team to win at Anfield. Liverpool had just slithered down to eighth and the idea they would be in the Champions League again was difficult to envisage.

So as Inter Milan try to become the first team to beat Liverpool at home since then, Fabinho appreciates the significance of the transformation in fortunes.

‘I remember the (Fulham) game,’ said Fabinho. ‘The confidence of the team was really low. The moment wasn’t good but I think the next game was Leipzig (in Budapest) and we won. After that game we started to play well and change it around.

‘Since the start of this season some of the players came back from injury and some things changed as well — I didn’t play centre back any more. In general we’ve not had many injuries this season so this is good for us and we have won almost every game.

‘If you want to fight for the league you have to perform, not just at home, but at home is really important. It’s really nice to still be alive in three competitions. It’s important to win