Xabi Alonso says there are similarities between himself and Liverpool midfielder Fabinho.

The Brazilian made 41 appearances in his debut season for the club as they won the Champions League.

Alonso was a key player in the Reds midfield from 2004 to 2009, and the Spaniard sees plenty of his style in Fabinho's game.

"I think that we could have similarities in terms of the position," Alonso told Liverpool's official website.

"In terms of how we want to connect with the players around, how he makes the players around him better players, making them play easier and play better.

"Taking many small, correct decisions is part of being a midfielder and he does it very well.

"(When) he came to Madrid and you could see that technically he was very good, physically he was very good, but he was playing right-back."