Fabinho has revealed that a desire to become the best holding midfielder in the world was behind his recent decision to sign a new Liverpool contract.
Earlier this month, the Brazilian joined teammates Alisson Becker and Trent Alexander-Arnold in committing his long-term future to the Reds.
But it is not just a desire to add to the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup winner's medals he has picked up at Anfield that prompted the renewal.
The 27-year-old is also out to cement himself as the best No.6 in world football with the help of Jurgen Klopp.
He said: "Liverpool is the best place for me. They have a great team and one of the best managers in the world, the best conditions to play football.
"I think I can still improve. I feel important, I feel I am one of the best players in my position.
"I think if I have good conditions for the rest of my career, I believe I can be the best player in my position.
"That’s what I will try, to do my best for Liverpool. Hopefully it will be my best season for the club."
As a result of Liverpool's well-documented defensive injury issues last season, Fabinho spent much of the campaign playing as a makeshift centre-half.
He is hopeful that won't be repeated this time around, and discussed the impact the returning Virgil van Dijk can have on the team's fortunes.
"I enjoy playing at centre-half but of course my position is as a midfielder, it’s where I enjoy most playing," he added.
“Because the boys are back – Virgil, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip – we have a lot of options at centre-half. Hopefully they won’t need me to play in this position.
“We have the confidence in the other players in this squad. But of course, Virgil is the best defender in the world.
“When we have him we know we have a leader in the team and a player who will win almost all the balls in the air, who has a lot of quality with the ball at his feet and who can find a long pass or a pass in between the lines.
“We have confidence in the other players, but Virgil is a different player. It is really good to have him back and hopefully he will find his highest level."
Fabinho believes there was at least one benefit to Liverpool's injury curse last season, though: the fact it offered him the opportunity to develop as a leader.
"When you miss players like Hendo and Virgil, these are the most communicative players on the pitch," he continued.
"If they are not there, some of the other players have to step and try to speak with the team to create a good ambience on the pitch.
"I think I improved a lot in this role last season, but I still have a lot to improve and grow as a leader.
"Hopefully this season will be better. It’s good to talk like Hendo, because he is really different. He’s the captain, and he’s talking all game long!
"He is a good example to look at and to try to learn."
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