Deep-lying midfielders blessed with the ability to turn defence into attack with a single pass. Champions League winners in their debut seasons with Liverpool.
Xabi Alonso and Fabinho have plenty in common.
Indeed, they once crossed paths as teammates at Real Madrid, where Alonso consolidated his reputation as one of Europe’s chief playmakers and Fabinho pitched up as a right-back.
That was 2012-13. Six years later, via a successful spell at AS Monaco, Fabinho has treaded the same path to silverware with the Reds previously walked by his older peer.
The No.3 played the whole of Saturday’s Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur, won 2-0 by Liverpool to secure the trophy for a sixth time in the club’s history.