Jurgen Klopp and Fabinho shared an angry exchange of words during Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Leeds United on Saturday night, journalist James Pearce has revealed.
The Lowdown: Liverpool suffer another defeat
The Reds suffered a dreadful night at the office, losing to a Whites side who are battling relegation, and seeing their Premier League top-four hopes take a huge hit.
Rodrigo and Mohamed Salah scored for either team in the first half and it was left to youngster Crysencio Summerville to bury a late winner to stun the home crowd.
There were numerous poor performers on show for Liverpool and Fabinho was one of them, with the Brazilian once again a million miles away from the player that he has been in the past.
The Latest: Klopp berates Fabinho
Taking to Twitter during the game, Pearce claimed that Klopp and Fabinho argued at one point, summing up the current negativity at Liverpool as he observed:
"Fabinho getting a rollicking off Klopp."
"It’s an indication of how things are when a player of Fabinho’s calibre looks lost. The 38th minute exchange between him and Jurgen Klopp caught the eye for all the wrong reasons."
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The Verdict: Shadow of his former self
Fabinho's decline has been dramatic this season, considering that he has arguably been one of the world's best defensive midfielders over the past three of four years.
His legs appear to have gone, his passing and touch aren't as crisp as before and he is part of a midfield unit which seems to be incredibly easy to run though.
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None of his three attempted long balls against Leeds were accurate and he lost possession 10 times last night as well.
For Klopp to explode at Fabinho in the way that he did sums up the 29-year-old's current form, although the fact that the player seemingly reacted negatively himself is indicative of the malaise and lack of togetherness on show at Anfield this season.