Redknapp says it's now time for Liverpool to replace player who's 'gone over the edge'

Liverpool have to find a young defensive midfielder to take over Fabinho’s place in the team.

That’s the view of former Reds captain turned pundit Jamie Redknapp. Speaking via Football Daily after Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace last night, Redknapp examined his old club’s needs in the transfer market.

“Jude Bellingham will look at Liverpool and look at Klopp as a viable option because of what it will bring and how much he can improve. It’s not going to be easy to sign him because every club wants him but that’s the sort of player you’ve got to be looking for,” said the pundit.

“As low as it’s been for Liverpool at times, you’re never that far away, you’re only one or two players away,” he continnued.

“A couple of players – Fabinho looks like for some reason he’s gone over the edge, he’s only twenty-nine. Maybe they need to find a young defensive midfield player, find someone to fill that void. But I still feel Liverpool will get in the top four and I also believe that next year they’ll be challenging again.”

Fabinho future hanging in the balance

Whether or not a specialist defensive midfielder will be on Liverpool’s shopping list may depend on Fabinho’s form between now and May.

There have been some suggestions that Jurgen Klopp is indeed looking to move the Brazilian on this summer. However at this point that still seems unlikely.

The 29-year-old still has three years to run on his contract. With the likes of Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain certain to depart and a couple more potentially following, Klopp won’t want too much change.

Besides, playing the No.6 role for Liverpool took Fabinho some getting used to. Whoever comes in may well need a similar period of adaptation. Without the Brazil international to guide them through, that would be a whole lot more difficult for a new signing. It could also badly harm Liverpool’s season.

So, no, we don’t think Fabinho will be sacrificed after one difficult campaign. And probably nor should he be. Since arriving in 2018 he has been consistently absolutely brilliant. His poor form this season doesn’t change that.

Still not an older player, there’s also the chance that he does return to form at some point. Liverpool should take that chance.

Of course, we absolutely will see some midfielders brought in in some shape or form this summer. That’s a must. But contrary to Redknapp’s hope, we think they’ll be more box-to-box types than out-and-out defensively minded ones.

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