Liverpool midfielder Fabinho has avoided a two-match Premier League ban just in time, as the Reds face a side Jurgen Klopp claims have the “best counter-attack” in Europe. After seven yellow cards in his previous nine games, Fabinho went into the Reds’ meetings with Nottingham Forest and West Ham desperate to avoid another. If cautioned in either of those two fixtures, the Brazilian would have received a two-match suspension for picking up 10 yellow cards in the first 32 games of the Premier League season. However, Fabinho was almost flawless, conceding just one foul across the two games despite making six tackles, three interceptions and three clearances. Premier League rules stipulate that yellow cards are wiped after a club’s 32nd fixture, which means Fabinho has avoided suspension.
Across the entire top flight, Brighton‘s Moises Caicedo is the only player left under threat, with the midfielder facing a two-match ban if he is booked against both Wolves and Man United. Fabinho‘s situation is likely aided by the shift in formation by Klopp, with less pressure on the No. 3 as Trent Alexander-Arnold sits alongside him. This could give Liverpool a welcome edge when Tottenham visit Anfield on Sunday. Despite their struggles of late, including a 6-1 thrashing by Newcastle a week ago, Klopp still believes Tottenham can be the “best counter-attacking team in Europe.” One way to thwart counter-attacks is, of course, the deepest-sitting midfielder stopping momentum with a tactical foul or two. Fabinho may have been less inclined to do this if he was at risk of suspension – now, it could give Liverpool a fail-safe if the “best possible Tottenham” turns up.