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Real Madrid v Liverpool: 'The Hoover is back' - why Fabinho midfield return is key for Reds

I feel very differently now about Liverpool's chances of getting past Real Madrid in the Champions League than I did a few weeks ago and there is one reason for that - Fabinho.

It's no coincidence that since the Brazilian returned to central midfield in mid-March, Liverpool have beaten RB Leipzig, Wolves and Arsenal and have looked far more like their old selves.

Fabinho challenges RB Leipzig's Marcel Sabitzer
Fabinho's first game back in midfield since the Merseyside derby on 17 October was Liverpool's 2-0 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League on 10 March. He gained possession 12 times in total for the Reds in that game, more than any other Reds player

It's not the case that until then Fabinho had not been in the team, or even that he had not been playing well - just that he has spent most of the season playing in central defence because of the injuries the Reds have had in that position.