The Liverpool wonderkid that saved his career during Jurgen Klopp upheaval
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool, 2023/24
Liverpool are set for a summer of upheaval with a new manager and the potential departures of some crucial first team players but the performances of one of their wonderkids could ease any fears of troubling times ahead.
The Reds have won just two of their last seven games across all competitions, with their form seeing them crash out of the Europa League and fall away in the race for the Premier League title in a matter of days.
With Jurgen Klopp gearing up for his final three games as Liverpool boss and Mohamed Salah entering the last 12 months of his contract, the uncertainty surrounding the club has undoubtedly distracted matters on the pitch and led to a downturn in form.
But one player who has provided a glimmer of hope has been Fabio Carvalho, with the 21-year-old recapturing his best form while on loan at Championship side Hull during the second half of the season.
Carvalho spent the first portion of the campaign at RB Leipzig but had his loan cut short in January after making just one start in the Bundesliga, leading to fears that he would never live up to the potential expected of him since joining Liverpool for €6 million in 2022.
However, Carvalho scored nine times in 20 Championship appearances and also grabbed two assists as Hull narrowly missed out on a playoff spot on the final day of the season, giving Liverpool hope that the midfielder can get his career back on track at Anfield.
Carvalho’s Liverpool career saved by late season form
Carvalho played a bit part role for Liverpool during his first season since signing from Fulham, only making four Premier League appearances and reportedly enduring a strained relationship with Klopp due to his limited game time.
In spite of his tough campaign, Liverpool had hoped Carvalho would prove himself in the top flight in Leipzig as a replacement for Dominik Szoboszlai, who had joined the Reds that same week.
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But the emergence of Xavi Simons led to Carvalho having minimal game time and a move to Hull in January was seen as an opportunity to get the Portuguese under-21 international some much-needed game time.
After just one goal in his first six games for the Tigers, Carvalho ended the season with eight goal contributions in his last ten matches, leaving Liverpool encouraged over the future despite a much bleaker outlook at the start of the campaign.
Whether Carvalho will be loaned out again or feature for Liverpool’s first team next season will come down to incoming manager Arne Slot’s decision but the youngster will at least have convinced the club over his credentials and proven he is a project still worth persisting with.