Fabinho playing for Liverpool
Fabinho recovered from a slow start to his Liverpool career (Picture: Getty Images)

Liverpool midfielder Fabinho has explained how the settling in process at Anfield took some time, but it was all worthwhile as he became a key player for the Reds by thee end of his first season.

The Brazilian arrived from Monaco last summer for an initial fee of £39m, but took a while to make any sort of impact on the side, not making his league debut until 20 October.

There was even talk about the 25-year-old leaving Merseyside in the January transfer window, although manager Jurgen Klopp dismissed these rumours, playing down the issue as a bedding-in period for the midfielder.

It turns out the German knew what he was talking about as Fabinho finished the season with 40 appearances in all competitions, playing the full 90 minutes as the Reds beat Tottenham in the Champions League final.

‘Overall I think my first season at Liverpool was good,’ Fabinho told Liverpool’s official website. ‘In my first season I knew there would be a learning and settling-in period. I went through this.

Fabinho playing for Liverpool
Fabinho played the full Champions League final for the Reds (Picture: Getty Images)

‘It didn’t last that long but I remember it wasn’t easy starting afresh, I was left out for a few matches.

‘Even though I was telling myself that I needed to work hard and be patient, it’s not easy being out of the team. But that’s in the past now, I started playing more.

‘The more you play, the more you can enjoy your football. I think I became an important part of the team, I gave the manager another option he could depend upon. So I think it was a really good season.’

There is a Brazilian influence at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp, with Alisson Becker also arriving last summer and Roberto Firmino joining the club in 2015.

However, Fabinho picked out Senegalese star Sadio Mane as a man who has helped him both on and off the field.

‘Sadio Mane is a genuinely impressive player,’ continued Fabinho. ‘He’s tireless, playing in every game with such high levels of intensity and concentration.

‘His technical ability goes without saying, he always makes a difference for us.

‘He’s a complete player – he gives you the option of a short pass or a long ball, he contributes to the build-up and creation of play as well. He’s a great player in amazing form, which is really important for his confidence.

‘Off the pitch I chat with him quite a bit as we both speak French, my French is still better than my English. He’s a great lad. Sadio has been a really important player for us this season.’

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