Liverpool midfielder Fabinho has stated that the Reds will be able to maintain the pressure of being considered as Champions League contenders.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool begin their Champions League title defense with a tough Group E fixture away to Napoli on Tuesday.
Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi netted in the final against Tottenham Hotspur in the summer to bring the Champions League title back to Anfield for the sixth time in the clubs history. Liverpool had suffered heartbreak at the final hurdle 12 months earlier, losing to Real Madrid in the previous final, but they are now very much one of the teams to beat in Europe.
And 25-year-old Fabinho, who arrived at Liverpool last summer in a £40 million deal from AS Monaco has become vital to Klopp’s system but the Brazilian has played down the pressure, “[We are] one of the favorites, I think, The reigning champion is always the favorite and given Liverpool’s run of form over the last two competitions we must be considered one of the main contenders. But it doesn’t put any additional pressure on us, we know how to deal with it, we know how to handle the pressure. It won’t be a problem. The Champions League is the toughest competition in Europe with all the best teams involved. We’ll do everything to qualify for the round of 16. It’s a case of taking things step by step”
Liverpool is still unbeaten in the Premier League with five wins out of five and will hope to continue their rich vein of form into the European competition as they look to get the points on the road against Napoli.
