Liverpool star Fabinho has credited his former coach Leonardo Jardim with his successful conversion into a defensive midfielder.
The Brazil international has enjoyed a fine calendar year with the Reds and was an important member of the squad that won the Champions League against Tottenham in June.
Under Jurgen Klopp, Fabinho has become one of the most highly-rated 'No.6s' in the top flight and has started all but one of Liverpool 's 11 games so far this term, helping the Reds pick up 21 points from their first seven matches in the Premier League.
It was at Monaco, however, where Fabinho started the catch the eye as a defensive-minded central midfielder , having moved from a right-back position under Jardim.
Fabinho highlighted the role his former boss played in helping him successfully make the tactical switch and says he will always remember his time in Ligue 1 fondly after helping Les Monegasques to the French title in 2017.
He said: "My time at Monaco was very good and I think I developed well from the moment I arrived to the moment I left. I stayed at Monaco for five years, working with Leonardo Jardim for four.
"He was a coach who helped me develop a lot in my career. It was him who made me take the big step of changing positions [from right-back]. We always talked about it, as I liked that position and he liked seeing me in that position.
"So he came to speak to me and decided he wanted to change. I accepted the challenge. but it's not just about that - I have many good memories with him. We were Ligue 1 champions at Monaco in 2017. I had a great time there and made a lot of my friends.
"I'll always hold that club dear to my heart."
Fabinho eventually left Monte Carlo in the summer of 2018 after the Reds struck a deal worth nearly £40million with Monaco shortly after their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
After a lengthy settling-in process on Merseyside, Fabinho has now developed into one of Klopp's first picks in his midfield and the 25-year-old explained why he was so enticed by a move to Anfield.
"After five seasons at Monaco, I knew it was the right time to leave to look for a new step in my career," he added. "I wanted to sign for a big club.
"I had no doubt I wanted to come to Liverpool, so much so that when the transfer window opened, the deal was immediately made official.
"It really is a huge club, one of the biggest in the world. The club has great ambition and what is what I wanted in my career, so I'm very happy to be here."
