Fabinho reckons the arrival of Thiago Alcantara has added a new dimension to Liverpool' s game.
The Merseysiders acquired the former Barcelona midfielder's services from Bayern Munich in September for a nominal fee of £27million.
Jurgen Klopp's acquisition of the creative midfielder was heralded as the signing of the summer, a notion bandied about by many due to the Brazil international's immense talent.
The 29-year-old showcased why he's held in such regard in Liverpool's recent clashes with Chelsea and Everton, displaying his ability to conduct like the game like he's leading an orchestra and his wide range of passing.
And it's those attributes Thiago's fellow countryman Fabinho believes will take the defending Premier League champions to the next level.
"It's true [that] competition for places is high in midfield," Fabinho admitted in a recent interview with the Liverpool Echo. "Ever since I arrived here, the midfield is where the manager rotates the most in games.
"Maybe it's because it is where the players have to put in the most effort, run the most kilometres during games. Our squad is very strong but we know that the signing of quality players is a plus for this team.
"Thiago's arrival will be really positive and he's a player coming from an exceptional season at Bayern Munich last year.
"He's an experienced player who inspires confidence given everything he has achieved.
"He can also add something to our team, something we didn't have before. The quality of his passing is exceptional.
"He's someone that receives the ball really well between the lines. So I think his arrival, both his and Diogo Jota's, are going to be really important for us."
Although there's even fiercer competition for a place in the Merseysiders' starting XI following Thiago's arrival, Fabinho is expecting to receive plenty of game time due to the jam-packed nature of the season and the inevitable rotation Klopp will have to implement.
"This season is a little bit different because we didn't have as much time to prepare as usual and so we didn't need to use the full squad," he added.
"It's important that we have this depth in the squad and players of a high quality to cope.
"This has also given opportunities for players who have come from the youth team, players who have been prepared to come into the team in the way they are coached and the way they play.
"To have this depth in the squad is good for us players and for the manager."
