Liverpool star Fabinho up for task of replacing Virgil Van Dijk after defensive heroics in Ajax win

FABINHO has promised he is up to the task of replacing Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool’s defensive leader – even if it means he has to start shouting more.

The Brazilian midfielder is having to operate as a centre-back after the champions lost inspirational captain Van Dijk for the rest of the season following knee surgery.

Wednesday’s win over Ajax exposed some areas to work on, and Sheffield United’s no-nonsense forwards Oli McBurnie and David McGoldrick are sure to give Fabinho a working over at Anfield on Saturday.

And the 26-year-old admitted:“It is not easy but I have got to do a little of what Virgil always does - to talk to the team and try to be a leader.

“First of all, he is the best defender in the world right now. Most of all, he is a leader in the team and in the dressing room.

“The manager said to me I have to talk more to try and organise the team.

“Tactically, at centre back, I have to always be ready for the long balls. I must try to organise the team. Sometimes I have to get the second balls and be ready to press.

“Of course, I am not Virgil but I will do my best and it was very important for me and the team to keep a clean sheet against Ajax.”

This weekend’s clash with the Blades is the second of 15 games in a hectic programme before Christmas that will test the strength of Jurgen Klopp’s squad to the limit.

Midfielder Gini Wijnaldum admits it is a daunting run of games that will be a challenge to get through.

He said: “It is crazy. Normally in December we have game, game, game and game.

“That's the situation we're in right now and now we just have to deal with it so basically is playing a game, recover and then play the other game.

“We just try to look at the positive because you know as footballers you want to play the games, rather than only train, but it's hard sometimes and even harder because you can’t recover fully.”