Fabinho will certainly be disappointed with his performance against Arsenal on Saturday night.

Liverpool fans have been eager to see their summer signing in action, but minutes in the Premier League have proven hard to come this season and the Arsenal clash represented a big opportunity.

However, it wasn't long before Liverpool fans were venting their frustration on Twitter and concluded that Fabinho was slowing down their play in midfield.

It certainly wasn't a vintage performance from a player that everybody knows has talent, but people are now starting to wonder whether he's cut out for the Premier League.

Ultimately, it seems too early to tell, yet his Arsenal performance won't have elevated his position in Jurgen Klopp's midfield rankings.

Criticism of Fabinho vs Arsenal

With the likes of James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita all jostling for positions, Fabinho needs to grab his next opportunity with both hands.

And now the dust has started to settle on the Arsenal game, the reaction to Fabinho's performance is being handled with more consideration and numerous articles are appearing in the English press.

One such example has come from the Daily Mail with journalist Sami Mokbel sinking his teeth into the display - and it doesn't make good reading for Fabinho.

The Daily Mail's eye-catching verdict

It seems his showing at the Emirates Stadium was worse than first feared.

"In his biggest test yet in a Liverpool shirt; Fabinho flopped. If there was ever a crash course in top-level Premier League football this was it, he would quickly testify to that," Mokbel wrote.

"Speaking in September, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp predicted the £43.7million arrival from Monaco may need six months to adapt to English football. On this evidence, Klopp's predication seems rather generous.

"It wasn't for the lack of work-rate, mind you. He was trying. Trying so very hard. But sustaining such a level of work-rate and not allowing the quality decline is the true mark of a top-level footballer.

"Here at the Emirates, Fabinho had his work cut out in trying to keep up; let alone leave an emphatic mark on the encounter. Fabinho, welcome to the Premier League.

"The 25-year-old was largely overshadowed in midfield by fellow South American Lucas Torreira, who is growing in stature with every appearance."

Torreira comparison

Call it harsh, but it might be the wake-up call that Fabinho needs to kick-start with Liverpool career.

And perhaps the former Monaco man can follow the example of his opposite number at Arsenal, Torreira, who enjoyed a Man of the Match performance this weekend.

Mokbel went onto write: "Arsenal have been crying out for a central midfielder of his type for years. If they'd signed one earlier, perhaps a certain Frenchman may still be in the dugout.

"Like Fabinho, the Arsenal midfielder was eased into English football, but since making his first Premier League start against Everton on September 23, the Uruguayan's been a revelation.

"Torreira helped the Gunners control the midfield for much of this game. Terrier-like, the midfielder - who arrived from Sampdoria for £26.4m - was relentless in his work-rate."

Who would you rather have in your team - Torreira or Fabinho? Have your say in the comments section below.