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Liverpool midfielder Fabinho has acknowledged he is not playing his "best football" under Jurgen Klopp this season.
The Reds have endured a disastrous campaign, struggling to reach the heights of last season amid a plague of injuries which have hindered the squad.
Despite a much needed win against Everton in the Merseyside derby on Monday, they are still languishing in ninth place in the Premier League, some nine points adrift of the top four.
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A massive clash against fourth placed Newcastle awaits on Saturday, and Fabinho will be involved from the start.
Fabinho acknowledges dip in form
When asked to sum up his season, Fabinho told Football Daily: "Personally I think I've had better seasons with Liverpool.
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"Maybe I'm not at my highest level or playing my best football. But I face it with normality. I think in football, you always try to be at your best level, physical level, mental level, and to play your best football."
The Brazilian has come under a storm of criticism for his performances this season, with former Leeds striker Noel Whelan referring to his form as "horrendous".
Speaking to Football Insider in October, Whelan said: “Fabinho has been a brilliant player for Liverpool, but he’s been horrendous this season, a shadow of his former self.
“He’s not that old, he’s not even 30, but I’m thinking, ‘it looks like your legs have gone. The decline could be terminal”.
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His form recently saw him lose his place in the side to teenager Stefan Bajcetic.
Klopp even admitted the midfielder was not at his best, stating earlier in the month: "There are no arguments or anything like that. He knows that he's not flying.
"It's now really helpful we have Stefan as we need this, the guy who wants to win challenges and protects everyone and plays football. Fabinho for plenty of years has been absolutely brilliant but at moment, it's not clicking."
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Fabinho, Liverpool, Premier League, Jurgen Klopp, Newcastle United, Football