Fabinho's 'tackle' in the Saudi Pro League is going viral for all the wrong reasons

Former Liverpool star Fabinho’s attempt at a tackle in the Saudi Pro League is going viral.

Fabinho joined Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad this summer, departing Liverpool in a £40million deal.

In his five years at Anfield, the Brazilian made 219 appearances and helped the club to Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and FIFA Club World Cup glory.

And while the Reds didn’t want to lose the Brazilian, Jurgen Klopp admitted the club faced an uphill battle to keep the player when compared to Saudi’s lucrative offer.

Speaking on Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, who also moved from Liverpool to Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq this summer: Klopp told Sport1: “It was a special situation for us. Bobby’s [Firmino] contract has expired. Of course, he can go and do whatever he wants. He just made his choice and that’s perfectly fine.

“When Hendo and Fabinho then sat in my office and talked to me about it, I knew when I found out more about the conditions that we have practically no chance of taking action against it.”

Fabinho’s new side Al Ittihad, who also lured Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante to their ranks this summer, are currently at the Saudi Pro League summit, having claimed five wins in their opening six games of the campaign.

The cheekiest of tricks from @gael_kana 😮‍💨✨#yallaRSL #RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/foD8Lcggqb

— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) September 14, 2023

And despite winning their latest outing against Al Akhdoud 1-0, courtesy of a Benzema second-half goal, Fabinho has gone viral for all the wrong reasons.

Fabinho laboured towards Al Akhdoud’s Leandre Tawamba after the forward picked up the ball in midfield.

However, rather than dispossess Tawamba with a snappy challenge, the Cameroonian nutmegged the former Liverpool star, who had made little attempt to challenge his opposite number.

Al Ittihad said in July that Fabinho's signing was part of their effort to "reinforce the team with outstanding players, who will support their journey in the upcoming phase, which includes multiple domestic and international competitions".