Liverpool will lose their first-choice defensive midfielder Fabinho and Klopp will have to replace the Brazil international at Anfield.
According to today’s version of La Gazzetta Dello Sport (news image below), the samba star is in Saudi Arabia to seal his move to Al-Ittihad.
The 29-year-old midfielder is expected to join Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, who left Madrid and Chelsea respectively in the summer.
Gazzetta claims Liverpool are now ready to sign Belgium international Romeo Lavia from Southampton.
The Reds would receive a €46million transfer fee for selling Fabinho but need to add even more to land the 19-year-old midfielder’s services. The Saints are reportedly seeking compensation of 60m euros (£51.5m) to sack their teenage star.
Fabinho is one of the most complete defensive midfielders around and without him Liverpool would not have won under Klopp.
The South American is not only a great killjoy who likes to tackle, but he is also a brilliant deep playmaker with a fantastic passing range. Also, he can play the ball very well from distance.
Therefore, to replace him in the number 6 position, Klopp must sign a star of proven quality and not a young prodigy. Romeo Lavia may be super talented, but he’s only played one season in top-flight football and it’s fair to say he shouldn’t be seen as a direct replacement for our key midfielder.
Speak Up – Who should Liverpool sign to replace Fabinho?
