Liverpool’s reported final message to one player was enough to completely seal his exit. The Reds did secure a large fee, though.
Liverpool sold Fabio Carvalho to Brentford last week, bringing an end to a two-year spell on Merseyside. Of course, not all of that was actually on Merseyside – Carvalho was out on loan last season.
His first campaign with the Reds was an unfortunate one as the overall form of the squad led to Jurgen Klopp leaning into his old guard. Carvalho was then sent to RB Leipzig a year ago, but his loan spell was a disaster. Leipzig didn’t even give him 180 minutes in the Bundesliga before he was sent back to Liverpool six months later.
➡️ READ MORE: LIVERPOOL AGREE £30M FEE
Then came a spell at Hull City to see off last season. Carvalho performed very well back in the Championship – enough that he had a solid place in Liverpool’s pre-season squad this summer and there were suggestions that he’d get a chance this season under Arne Slot.
The player then performed really well on tour, including a starring role as Liverpool beat Manchester United 3-0.
Only, the Reds had a message for Carvalho after pre-season that essentially sealed his exit. Per DaveOCKop, the player was told that he wouldn’t have gotten much game time in the USA if Cody Gakpo had been available.
In other words, Carvalho was really just filling in – he was never going to get the opportunities once Gakpo returned from his holiday. With that the 21-year-old knew it was time to leave.
Fabio Carvalho joins Brentford
Liverpool got the best they could have from Carvalho – a large profit. The midfield is just too busy for him to get proper game time in his preferred position, while the left flank is about as populated as it could possibly be.
A transfer simply made sense, especially with the figures involved. Liverpool’s brutal honest about Carvalho’s role in the squad ultimately did him a favour – he made a move that is a fantastic one for his career and can hopefully give him the stability he’s lacked over the last two years.