‘Quality’ Liverpool player’s place is under threat from 19-year-old who’s reportedly heading to Anfield – RTK View

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool supposedly want to bring Fabio Carvalho to the club this summer. That puts one current Red under threat, however.

It appears Liverpool still want to sign Fabio Carvalho. Paul Joyce, a journalist for The Times, told the Kenn7 YouTube channel that he sees that one ‘getting over the line’ in the summer.

That comes after a failed attempt to sign Carvalho on deadline day in January. Liverpool, though, aren’t done and we can fully expect them to push for the Fulham star this summer.

And that’s an interesting prospect. Carvalho built a fine reputation in the Championship but did it while playing as an attacking midfielder. Liverpool don’t actually play with one and the play will almost certainly be to change his position slightly.

The question is – forward or backwards? Liverpool could convert Carvalho to a False 9 or they could move him into midfield. The latter feels more likely, admittedly, and that makes us wonder who’s under threat here.

It seems to be Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Liverpool want Fabio Carvalho

Oxlade-Chamberlain essentially plays the same midfield/forward hybrid role in the squad right now. His primary role is unquestionably in midfield but he has history as a winger and, over the last two seasons, Jurgen Klopp has put him in that False 9 position.

It’s a useful role, of course. Liverpool can use one player to significantly boost their squad depth, while adding true attacking impetus in midfield. Unfortunately, we’re not seeing Oxlade-Chamberlain all that much right now.

He’s started just three times since January, with only two of those coming in the FA Cup. This comes after a very, very bright period in which we thought Oxlade-Chamberlain was flying.

Competition keeps him out of the side, however – not a good thing given his contract expires in 2023. There will be major questions around his future come this summer.

And if Liverpool are to sign Carvalho, they’ll be getting a direct replacement for Oxlade-Chamberlain. As Roy Keane recently told ITV, the Englishman is a ‘quality player’ whose career has stalled a little. It sets things up for a big summer.