Liverpool find themselves in something of a predicament as Fabinho moves closer to a move to Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad.
The Brazilian signed for Liverpool from AS Monaco in 2018 and has played 219 times for the club, earning the nicknames ‘Dyson’ and ‘The Lighthouse’ for his ability to read games and set up counter-attacks. During five years on Merseyside, Fabinho has helped the team win every major honor they have competed for.
However, it appears his time to etch himself into the club’s history is coming to an end as an offer believed to be in the region of £40m is being considered by Anfield officials, while the player himself did not travel with the 32-man squad to Germany to continue pre-season training.
This leaves several questions about what Liverpool will do in the 30-day period between now and the first Premier League game of the season away to Chelsea.
READ MORE: Liverpool dream of line-up with two more transfers if Fabinho and Jordan Henderson leave
The Reds have already spent £95m on two midfield additions this summer – Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. However, those are more attack-oriented options, so if Fabinho were to depart in the coming days, it will be imperative to quickly get hold of a replacement with defensive ability in midfield.
In that area, the Reds have so far been limited to links to youthful talent, so it will be interesting to see how Jurgen Klopp shifts priorities to whoever is more ready ahead of a crucial season.
This business also comes at a difficult time, with two of the English top-flight’s biggest defensive midfield talents – Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo – signed for Arsenal and set to join Chelsea respectively. So working with players who are on the market and using Fbref.coms database, here are five candidates to take Fabinho’s place in the Liverpool squad:
Romeo Lavia
The 19-year-old has been linked more than any other defensive midfielder so far this summer. He enjoyed a personally successful breakout in an otherwise chaotic relegation campaign with Southampton in 2022/23, making 29 Premier League appearances.
The ECHO understands his age and experience would not be a barrier to his potential progression in Liverpool’s squad.
The foundation is clearly there with Lavia for Klopp to emulate his Fabinho project, based on the Belgian’s ability to turn defense into attack.
Throughout last season, Lavia managed 22 progressive balls, 21 of which went into the opposition’s defensive third. In comparison, Fabinho registered only 15.
Although it could be argued that the Liverpool midfielder is more commonly associated with his passing range, something that Lavia follows but not too far behind.
Fabinho completed 88.3% of his attempts, while Lavia completed 86.2%. Interestingly, the tables are turned when considering long distance passes (30+ yards). Lavia achieved a success rate of 73.1% to Fabinho’s 69.4%.
Bird of paradise
Another target who was linked earlier this summer, Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Kone is one of the continent’s most exciting prospects in this position.
The Frenchman offers a similar attraction in the forwards department, with 166 progressive passes in 2022/23, eclipsing Fabinho’s total by five. Kone also made more tackles, 74 to 65.
The biggest downside to any move for the 22-year-old is that an injury sustained before France’s exit from the European Under-2s last month means he would not be fit until the start of August. Klopp has simply too many problems of this nature already, with Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago also on the mend.
João Straw
Moving into the finished console, Fulham’s midfield general offers an interesting prospect for Klopp to ponder.
Since swapping Lisbon for London, the Portugal international impressed as his side received the trend to retain their Premier League status. He played a huge role in this and that is the first reason why he is one idealproven candidate for Liverpool.
In his first season in England, Palhinha averaged 34.5 90-minute games, beating Fabinho, who completed just 29.7. Availability will be crucial if the club is to reach the top of English football again.
The Fulham midfielder also almost doubled Fabinho’s tackles per game. 90 minutes and completed an average of 4.26 to 2.19.
Wilfried Patience
An outside option, granted, although the Leicester City midfielder simply cannot be overlooked with six years of Premier League experience. Besides, he’s still only 26.
Ndidi was a crucial cog in Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester side that qualified for Europe and won the FA Cup, often compared to Fabinho throughout the era.
The duo almost went down in combined tackles and interceptions last season, with Fabinho’s total narrowly beating Ndidi’s 99. The Nigerian also made more clearances, 48 in total.
That said, the main aspect of his game that proves unattractive is his error rate leading to opposition shots, leading this list of contenders by a country mile with three in 27 appearances.
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Aurelien Tchouameni
There is a special reason why the Real Madrid midfielder has been back in the end. No, he is not part of the finished list per se, but instead seems simply untouchable.
Reports emerged yesterday of Tchouameni saying Real want to keep the player. Still, it doesn’t hurt to point out how perfect a candidate he would be to fill the void left by Fabinho’s departure.
First, from an offensive standpoint, he recorded the most offensive returns on this shortlist with four assists. This came despite making just 24 starts, compared to Palhinha’s 35 and Fabinho’s 31 starts.
His pass success rate is sublime at 92.8% and he boasts the highest shot-creating actions per game. 90 minutes, average 2.67.
It would be a dream for Klopp to have a player of this caliber at his disposal, but ultimately that is the unlikely scenario.