Should Liverpool Keep Fabio Carvalho?

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 30: Fabio Carvalho of Liverpool celebrates following the FA Community Shield between Manchester City and Liverpool at The King Power Stadium on July 30, 2022 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

Fabio Carvalho arrived in Liverpool surrounded by the hype of a succssful season helping Fulham gain promotion to the English Premier League. Although he played primarily as 10 for the cottagers here a was youngster blessed with supreme technical skills and ball carrying ability that could potentially see him take over the creative midfielder mantle left by a certain Phillipe Coutinho and fans were rightly excited.

However, apart from a last minute winner against Newcastle Utd at Anfiled, Carvalho’s season never really got started. He disappointed after being picked to play in the Merseyside Derby where he was bullied and looked lost in a position that many people feel he simply isn’t suited for. He would score again in a Carabao Cup tie against Manchester City in December only to be substitued at half time and would end the season struggling to make the match day squad with minutes on the pitch a rarity.

With this in mind it is no surprise that reports are now suggesting Fabio Carvalho sees his future away from Anfield with a number of clubs already lined up for his services. But the news of a potential sale has angered many fans who feel Liverpool will one day regret moving him on and that the youngster was never given a chance to shine in a red shirt.

So why wasn’t Fabio Carvalho given more of an opportunity, especially in a season where many players struggled to impress?

Like most fans I was excited about the potential that Fabio brought to the squad. However, I can only go on what I saw of himthis season and I have to say I was less than impressed. Despite snatching a couple of goals the youngster looked out of his depth tactically and physically. Getting lost in the press and thrown around when in possession meant he was more of a liability in the team than a creavie spark.

There are those that would say he deserved more of a chance to prove himself, but I don’t agree. Carvalho had daily training sessions and, I am sure, a number of behind closed door matches to show his improvement and stamp his claim on a place in squad. Then their are the rumours of a falling out with Jurgen Klopp which began with his half time substitution again Manchester City despite grabbing a 20th minute goal in the Carabao Cup.

Anyone who saw that match will know that it was probably the right decision. Although I thought he may get another 10 or 20 mins, there was no doubt that Carvalho wasn’t playing well despite the tidy finish. Apparently the youngster didn’t take the move too well and was disrespectful to the gaffer for his decision, which never goes down well with Klopp. From there his squad involvement was reduced and when he refused to go on loan in the January window it seems the relationship between the pair totally broke down.

So should we sell Fabio Carvalho?

The answer is yes. It doesn’t matter now how good he is or ptentially could be. Jurgen Klopp has seen something in his daily interactions with the kid during training etc that means he doesn’t trust him on the pitch. Carvalho has lost faith in the manager and the club and no longer sees Liverpool as the best place to advance his career. So with Liverpool looking to rebuild in a positive way for a comeback tour next season it seems counter productive to hold on to an unhappy player that Klopp isn’t sure can help his cause.

There is no doubt that Carvalho is a talented boy and will have a decent career. However, that career will not be on Merseyside.