Fabinho feels he is adapting well to the role required of him at Liverpool.

The Brazilian awaits his first competitive appearance for the club after remaining on the bench for Sunday’s season-opening 4-0 win over West Ham United at Anfield – following a minor injury and illness in the days before the game.

He had been involved in all nine of the Reds’ summer friendlies, learning the nuances of what Jürgen Klopp needs and demands from his midfield players.

There are, of course, differences in style from that Fabinho was used to at his previous team, AS Monaco, but the No.3 is taking the process in his stride.

“I think my performances have been good,” he told Premier League Productions.

“It’s a different playing style than at Monaco; there were two of us in midfield there and here at Liverpool there’s three.

“My midfield partners have given me guidance and assistance, as have the defence. I knew [my role] would change and I feel I’ve adapted well. You seek guidance and help from the players around you and that has worked really well up until now.”

Klopp is spoilt for choice in midfield at the moment.

On Sunday he named Naby Keita, James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum in his starting XI, with Fabinho, Jordan Henderson – who came on as a second-half substitute – and Adam Lallana on the bench.

The battle for places is clear, and healthy.

“When I came to Liverpool I knew this competition would exist in midfield and I think it’s really good for the team,” said Fabinho, a Ligue 1 title-winner in 2016-17.

“If anything happens to a player, there’s adequate cover. During pre-season I played alongside a variety of different players and we blended really well. So, overall, I think it’s a good thing for the team.”

Fabinho sealed his move to Liverpool just two days after the Champions League final in late May.

Since reporting for duty with his new club at the beginning of July, it has been a hectic period of pre-season training, travel, friendlies and acclimatisation.

But the busy nature of the summer has not affected the smoothness of his settling in. “It has been really good since I arrived here,” he said.

“The players and the coaching staff have been brilliant. I have been able to fit in really well with the club, the training and games we’ve played have been good.”