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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Charlotte Coates

Jurgen Klopp proved right as Fabinho snub reignites Liverpool feud with Brazil coach

Liverpool midfielder Fabinho was left as an unused substitute as Brazil were knocked out of the World Cup by Croatia on Friday evening.

No goals were scored in the 90 minutes, but Neymar gave Brazil the lead in extra-time as he equalled Pele to become the joint all-time top goalscorer before Bruno Petkovic equalised with minutes to go.

Brazil boss Tite opted to bring on Manchester United midfielder Fred instead of Fabinho when trying to protect a delicate 1-0 lead deep into extra-time.

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The question remains, why didn't Tite turn to Fabinho when leading 1-0, especially given the Liverpool star is a great penalty taker? It's a decision though that Klopp won't be surprised by.

The Liverpool boss spoke of his confusion over Tite's use of Fabinho back in 2020, having been asked about an injury picked up by the midfielder. "I'm not sure if Tite's too worried because he plays him never so he will probably now not sit on the bench for the next three international games," Klopp said.

In response, Tite tried to play off the spat, saying: “Klopp and I have the same thinking and the same scale of values. The health of athletes is essential. It is human..

“The use is secondary, just as sport is secondary when we talk about health, when we talk about people, when we talk about something that is bigger.

“We have this same idea and way of watching football.”

Despite Tite's comments, Fabinho started just one game in Brazil's World Cup campaign - the dead rubber against Cameroon in the group stages. Having been left on the bench at a time when his presence could have helped his side over the line in extra-time, Klopp's eyebrows will no doubt have been raised again at the Brazil coach's treatment of his player.

Croatia will play either Argentina or the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the World Cup after their shock win over the tournament favourites.

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