Jurgen Klopp will have to fill the void left by Fabinho before the new Premier League season begins.
Jurgen Klopp has suggested Curtis Jones could be Fabinho’s replacement at Liverpool after impressing the 22-year-old late last season. The Red Devils announced on Monday that Fabinho would be leaving the club after five years at Merseyside, with the Brazilian midfielder joining Al-Ittihad in a deal worth around £40m.
Fabinho’s departure comes just days after Jordan Henderson was sold to Al-Ettifaq leaving Liverpool with no choice in midfield less than two weeks before the start of the new campaign. The six-time European champions will no doubt find reinforcements before the summer transfer window closes, but Klopp has hinted that Jones could be a surprise candidate to fill the void.
“In the current context, how we have him and what the team looks like, he [Jones] is definitely one of the options,” the Liverpool boss said at a press conference in Singapore. . “I think it’s no secret that we’re always looking for players to join us, that’s one thing and using what you have is another and I think Curtis can absolutely play in that position. there.
“Can he play when no one else is defending in the team? No, no chance, but I don’t know any player who can do it. But if you really understand the current situation, a proven 6 isn’t available right now, do we have an excuse for that?
“During the season a lot can happen, that’s always the case. We take it as a challenge and try to find a way to be compact anyway. When it comes to possession, there’s no doubt. what else, Curtis can make a huge impact from that position. I think his growth over the last few months since he’s been with us has been really remarkable.
“Injured at the wrong time, for too long. No one is at fault, it only happens to young players. Before that, the steps he took were very good. Having him on the pitch makes sense. In this position, if no one else is available, he can definitely play that.”
Jones made just 18 Premier League appearances last season but was arguably his best streak as a Liverpool player in the final stages of the campaign. He usually excels in midfield and the Reds have not lost a game in their last 11 games when Jones was tasked by Klopp to run the program in the engine room.
It remains to be seen if he can continue where he left off at the start of the new season, although Klopp’s praise suggests he will at least have a chance to prove himself in Fabinho’s absence. face. That said, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Liverpool delving into the transfer market in search of another midfield option, with Southampton’s Romeo Lavia being considered one of the names to be considered at Anfield.
