Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Liverpool youngster Fabio Carvalho would like to be playing more regularly.
Carvalho has only featured twice for Liverpool since their return to action after the World Cup. Asked about the 20-year-old’s whereabouts during his pre-Newcastle press conference today, Klopp explained why he hasn’t been picking him.
“A very young player as well, big talent as well, absolutely. Played well for us in a couple of games. Now is the situation where we have to make the squad and he didn’t make the last one, that’s how it is, that’s the truth,” said the Liverpool boss.
“He didn’t play too often because in my point of view we needed different skills when we started or when we changed during games. That’s pretty much all, he didn’t do anything wrong, he improved a lot, developed a lot, he’s a good kid and he’s in the middle of the group, in the middle of the team, so that’s all fine.
“Not in a happy place at the moment, but when I see him that’s not obvious. I can imagine though because he’s a footballer, he wants to play and he didn’t play often enough. But that’s another thing in a career you have to go through. In the moment he takes it as good as possible.”
With Liverpool not in the best form, it’s probably been a wise decision from Klopp to protect young Fabio. He’ll be back stronger with the team hopefully in a better ebb.
Carvalho still finding his feet at Liverpool
Although we think Klopp’s doing the right thing with Carvalho here, it does throw doubt on his Liverpool career moving forwards.
Obviously he’s still a very young player. But it’s also clear that the Portugal U21 international doesn’t plan on hanging around for things to happen for him. Carvalho has big confidence in his own abilities and won’t want to stagnate on the bench.
As a result, Liverpool might be best off looking for a loan for the former Fulham player next season.
That might sound premature, but just look at Klopp’s current attacking options. With everyone fit, Fabio just isn’t getting near the team.
It might help him to some extent that the coaching staff still haven’t worked out his best position. He could fill several roles as they try to test him out in various positions.
So far though, that hasn’t been too beneficial for Carvalho. Although he’s had flashes of being very good, he’s largely looked like a square peg in a round hole. Hopefully some time on the training pitch away from the glare of a matchday can nail that down for him.
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