Fabinho credits Liverpool teammate with helping him overcome slow start to Reds career

Photo/Visionhaus/Getty Images Fabinho has hailed the qualities of Sadio Mane on and off the pitch. Liverpool signed him from Monaco for £39 million in the immediate aftermath of last season’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid (3-1). After a slow-burning start to his Liverpool career, Fabinho emerged as one of the key figures of Jurgen Klopp’s side over the second half of the campaign. The Brazilian says Mane has been crucial to his personal turnaround. "Sadio Mane is a genuinely impressive player, he's tireless, playing in every game with such high levels of intensity and concentration," he told the Reds' official website . "His technical ability goes without saying, he always makes a difference for us. He's a complete player – he gives you the option of a short pass or a long ball, he contributes to the build-up and creation of play as well. He's a great player in amazing form, which is really important for his confidence. Off the pitch I chat with him quite a bit as we both speak French, my French is still better than my English. He's a great lad. Sadio has been a really important player for us this season." Elaborating on his own season, Fabinho admits he found it tough at times. "Overall I think my first season at Liverpool was good," he said. "In my first season, I knew there would be a learning and settling-in period. I went through this. It didn't last that long but I remember it wasn't easy starting afresh, I was left out for a few matches. Even though I was telling myself that I needed to work hard and be patient, it's not easy being out of the team. But that's in the past now, I started playing more. The more you play, the more you can enjoy your football. I think I became an important part of the team, I gave the manager another option he could depend upon. So I think it was a really good season."

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