The Brazilian joined the Reds from Monaco in a deal worth up to £43.7million earlier this summer. Fabinho, previously linked with rivals Manchester United, was signed by Jurgen Klopp to act as a replacement for Emre Can – who joined Juventus at the end of his Anfield contract.
And he was followed by the arrival of Naby Keita from RB Leipzig in a deal agreed 12 months prior as the German boss strengthened his spine for the 2018-19 campaign.
That adds to the abundance of other options Klopp has at his disposal in captain Henderson, veteran James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum, Adam Lallana and even youngster Marko Grujic. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another, although he is out for the entirety of the current campaign.
Fabinho was an unused substitute for Liverpool’s opening Premier League game at home to West Ham last Sunday despite featuring regularly in pre-season.
Fellow new boy Keita was joined in the middle by Milner and Henderson, even though the skipper had only returned to pre-season training from England duty at the World Cup earlier the same week.
And Liverpool comfortably dominated in the middle with Keita a stand-out performer as Klopp’s side ended up 4-0 winners to sit atop the league table after the first round of top-flight matches.
The trio’s performances are likely to see them retain their places, barring any injury setbacks, for a trip to Crystal Palace this coming Monday (8pm).
Yet Fabinho has no qualms over competing for a starting spot given the quality available to his manage, and insists he will be there to step in when needed.
“When I came to Liverpool I knew this competition would exist in midfield and I think it’s really good for the team,” Fabinho told Premier League Productions.
“If anything happens to a player, there’s adequate cover. During pre-season I played alongside a variety of different players and we blended really well.
“So, overall, I think it’s a good thing for the team.”
Klopp has consistently suggested that 24-year-old Fabinho will take longer to settle in than Keita having come from Ligue 1, with the style of the French league requiring a longer period of adjustment than the Bundesliga.
And the midfielder himself alluded to that as he continued: “I think my [pre-season] performances have been good.
“It’s a different playing style than at Monaco; there were two of us in midfield there and here at Liverpool there’s three.
“My midfield partners have given me guidance and assistance, as have the defence. I knew [my role] would change and I feel I’ve adapted well.
“You seek guidance and help from the players around you and that has worked really well up until now. It has been really good since I arrived here.
“The players and the coaching staff have been brilliant. I have been able to fit in really well with the club, the training and games we’ve played have been good.”
After signing him in May, Klopp hailed the tactical ability and intelligence of Fabinho – suggesting that he will be a regular starter once he fully settles.
The manager said: “He has ability and mentality to play at the highest level in a number of positions. He can play ‘6’, ‘8’ and ‘2’. This is cool.
“He is tactically very strong and football smart. I think he improves our squad and there aren’t that many players you can say that about in this moment, because the quality we have already is so high.
“I like that he is young yet experienced also, with a high number of games at a club that compete to win. Also, international caps for Brazil tells you something about him.
“This signing gives us new opportunities and for that I am excited.”