Virgil Van Dijk has admitted that he didn’t know who new teammate Fabio Carvalho was until he joined Liverpool.
As quoted by The Daily Mail, Van Dijk said he didn’t know the youngster previously. However, this hasn’t stopped him from being impressed with the 19-year-old’s ability.
“I’m very impressed with both of them [Carvalho and Harvey Elliott]. Harvey showed before his injury [last season] and now he’s showing the same stuff as before. I’ve been impressed with Fabio as well. I didn’t know him before he came but I think he can be really good for us as a club as well.”
If he didn’t before, then Virgil certainly knows him now. A goal at The Kop end on Saturday afternoon well and truly introduced him as a player who can make a big impact at Liverpool.
Carvalho becoming harder to ignore
One of the most interesting aspects of this season at Liverpool is Jurgen Klopp’s use of Fabio Carvalho.
When the teenager was signed this summer, there was some uncertainty over just how much he’d play. There were suggestions that he would be bedded in slowly, being used mainly in the domestic cups.
However, five games deep into the season and Carvalho has played a part in every single match.
Although he is yet to start for his new club, the Portugal U21 star has accumulated 86 minutes across those five games. That may not sound a lot, but for a young player coming to a new club, it’s really encouraging.
Even more encouraging is what he’s done with those minutes. After a couple of really bright cameos, Carvalho was given 45 minutes to impress at Anfield on Saturday.
It may have been 5-0 by the time he got on the pitch, but you’d never have known it by watching Fabio.
He buzzed about everywhere, desperate to make an impact on the game. And make an impact he surely did. His first goal for Liverpool was beautifully taken on the volley to put The Reds 8-0 up.
Feet should be kept on the ground still. There’s a lot more to come from Carvalho and there’s no need to throw him in at the deep end. But if he keeps on turning in star performances from the bench, the clamour for him to start games may become too loud for Klopp to ignore.
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