Former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson rubbished Kenny Cunningham's criticism of Fabinho on Friday's OTB AM.
Kenny Cunningham anticipated a reaction from Liverpool fans, and they duly delivered.
On Wednesday's OTB AM, Cunningham, looking ahead to this weekend's Premier League clash between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield, suggested that the home side's Brazilian midfielder Fabinho may be ill-equipped to handle City's attacking threats.
"I wouldn't be hanging my hat on Fabinho to make the ground up," the former Irish captain explained in a segment that can be read in full here. "I'm not totally convinced about him in that holding midfield position."
Unsurprisingly, Phil Thompson did not share Cunningham's opinion when the question of Fabinho's form and capabilities was put to him on Friday's show.
"I'm just laughing so much," he stressed as this morning's call got underway. "Oh my goodness, I forget, did Kenny Cunningham finish as a Barcelona coach, Real Madrid coach?
"He obviously has picked out a couple of incidents there, and I do take it he probably has done a little bit of homework, but this guy Fabinho has probably been rated the best holding-midfielder in the country.
"Fabinho has been absolutely outstanding ... look at what this guy can do, and I think Kenny is just looking for a little bit of a wind-up of Liverpool fans.
"Certainly, he's got me wound up."
In the aftermath of Cunningham's comments on Wednesday's show, Liverpool fans shared their respective disbelief with the former Wimbledon man's criticism of their player.
Although Kenny Cunningham's opinion of the Brazilian was largely complimentary, it was his concern for the player's effectiveness against Manchester City that drew the majority of the attention.
"I've probably seen a lot more of him than Kenny has," argued Thompson for the greater validity of his thoughts on the Brazilian's form. "I see his alertness, quickness over the ground, and I'm not saying he's electric, but he's very, very good.
"I think he makes more saving tackles in front of the back-four than he lets people past him."
You can listen to Phil Thompson's pre-match analysis in full here.
The issue was similarly put to John Giles on Thursday's Off the Ball.
"I don't think he's good at that"
John Giles reveals the pros and cons of Fabinho's game #LIVMCI @paddypower
Check out the full chat here: https://t.co/2f8wYkGIp9 pic.twitter.com/ql40xZ8nUO— Off The Ball (@offtheball) November 7, 2019
