´We are still Liverpool´ – Fabinho backs Reds to replicate 2021 top-four charge

Fabinho is optimistic Liverpool can replicate their strong finish to the 2020-21 season to secure a top-four Premier League finish this term, declaring: “We are still a big team”.

Liverpool sit eighth in the table following a run of three league games without a win, 10 points adrift of Newcastle United and Manchester United in third and fourth respectively, with just 10 matches remaining this campaign.

Having gone close to winning an unprecedented quadruple last term, Liverpool are now in severe danger of missing out on Champions League football for the first time since an eighth-placed finish in 2015-16, but Jurgen Klopp’s men have experience of snatching a top-four spot at the last.

Liverpool looked destined to finish outside the top four during an injury-hit 2020-21 season, only to win eight of their final 10 games to end the campaign in third.

Fabinho remains hopeful the Reds can put together a similar run this term, starting with Sunday’s meeting with leaders Arsenal.

“We are still Liverpool, we are still a big team,” Fabinho told the club’s media channels.

“The hope and the goal is to reach the top four, so if we want this we have to start winning games. It doesn’t matter who is in front of us, we just have to try to win.

“This is the goal. We had a similar situation two seasons ago. We have to keep believing, keep trying. It’s not easy – at that moment we we’re not too close to the top four.

“But it doesn’t matter who the teams in front of us are – we have to try to win our games and the confidence will come back. I hope we will get to the top four.”

Sights set on Sunday #LIVARS | #EASPORTSFC pic.twitter.com/WI9bUQTaNK

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 8, 2023

Klopp’s side have won their last six home league games against the Gunners, scoring at least three goals in each of those matches (22 goals in total).

Liverpool have also won five of their last six home Premier League games (D1), and Fabinho believes playing at Anfield could prove decisive against Mikel Arteta’s men.

“This season when we play at Anfield, it’s usually where we play our best football,” he added.

“We played good games against big teams this season – we beat [Manchester] City, we beat Manchester United at home.

“So yes, we will try to use the crowd and try to play our best football again because if we don’t play, we can’t beat Arsenal.”

A five-star display against Arsenal in 2018 @SCJohnson | #LIVARS pic.twitter.com/YMbNT70Sj7

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 7, 2023