Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has spoken about what it would take for Brazilian midfielder Fabinho to get back to his best.

The defensive anchorman has struggled for his top form this season, often looking labored and lethargic.

Many fans are speculating that Fabinho is burned out and may no longer be the force that he was.

Klopp refuted the claims, stating: “He is [at his best]. It's obvious. When I spoke about it, it's a bit strange when I say then, 'Fabinho is not at his best' it's like, 'Oh, he said it.'

“Everybody could see it so why should I not say the obvious stuff? Now everybody can see Fab is getting back; that's exactly what we need obviously.

“We spoke a second ago about [Marcus] Rashford; OK, it's a different position but things like this happen, you cannot explain it really, it's just there, it happens. I was so happy about the last game of Fabinho, to be honest. So happy.

“Because so many things were exactly like we need him – bringing the long foot in here and all these kinds of things. It was a really good game and that's exactly how we were used to having him; the lighthouse, the hoover, all these kinds of things.

“There's a point when you take things just for granted, you lose the ball there, 'Yeah, no problem, because there is Fabinho' and we have the ball again. Of course you miss these kinds of things in moments when it's not there and how can you be prepared for that? It's now not cool and you don't have five No.6s in the club or stuff like this.

“It was really, really good and I'm really happy for him and happy for us that he looks really like the old one again."