Liverpool have an ideal Fabinho replacement and it’s not Romeo Lavia

Liverpool discover themselves in one thing of a predicament as Fabinho strikes nearer towards a switch to Saudi Pro League membership Al Ittihad.

The Brazilian signed for Liverpool from AS Monaco in 2018 and has gone on to play 219 occasions for the membership, gaining the nicknames ‘Dyson’ and ‘The Lighthouse’ for his potential to learn play and spring counter-attacks into motion. Across 5 years on Merseyside, Fabinho has helped the group win each main honour they have competed for.

However, his time etching himself into the material of the membership’s historical past seems to be coming to finish, as an provide believed to be within the area of £40m is being mulled over by Anfield officers, whereas the participant himself not travelled with the 32-man squad to Germany to proceed pre-season coaching.

This leaves quite a few questions over what Liverpool will do within the 30-day interval that stands between now and the primary Premier League fixture of the season away to Chelsea.

READ MORE: Liverpool dream line-up with two extra transfers if Fabinho and Jordan Henderson depart

The Reds have already spent £95m on two midfield additions this summer time – Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. These are extra attack-minded choices, nevertheless, so ought to Fabinho depart within the coming days, will probably be crucial to swiftly snap up a replacement with defensive capabilities in midfield.

In that space the Reds have to this point been restricted to hyperlinks to youthful skills, so will probably be fascinating to see how Jurgen Klopp switches priorities to anybody extra ready-made forward of a vital season.

This piece of enterprise additionally comes at a troublesome time, with two of the English top-flight’s largest defensive midfield skills – Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo – having signed for Arsenal and set to affix Chelsea respectively. So, working with gamers which are in the marketplace and utilizing Fbref.com‘s database, listed here are 5 candidates to take Fabinho’s spot within the Liverpool squad:

Romeo Lavia

The 19-year-old has been linked greater than every other defensive midfielder to this point this summer time. He loved a personally profitable breakout in an in any other case chaotic relegation marketing campaign with Southampton throughout 2022/23, making 29 Premier League appearances.

The ECHO understands that his age and expertise would not be a barrier in his potential development into Liverpool’s squad.

The foundations are clearly there with Lavia for Klopp to emulate his Fabinho venture, based mostly on the Belgian’s potential to show defence into assault.

Throughout final season, Lavia managed 22 progressive carries of the ball, 21 of which entered the opponent’s defensive third. In comparability, Fabinho solely recorded 15.

Although it might be argued that the Liverpool midfielder is extra generally related together with his passing vary, one thing that Lavia trails in however not too far behind.

Fabinho accomplished 88.3% of his tried passes, whereas Lavia accomplished 86.2%. Interestingly, nevertheless, the tables are turned when contemplating long-range passes (30+ yards). Lavia managed successful charge of 73.1% to Fabinho’s 69.4%.

Manu Kone

Another goal linked earlier in the summertime, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Kone is without doubt one of the continent’s most fun prospects on this place.

The Frenchman provides an analogous attraction within the division of transferring play forwards, with 166 progressive passes in 2022/23 trumping Fabinho’s whole by 5. Kone additionally made extra tackles, 74 to 65.

The main draw back to any transfer for the 22-year-old is that an damage sustained earlier than France’s exit from the European Under-2 Championship final month means he would solely be reaching health come the beginning of August. Klopp merely has too many problems with this nature already, with Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago additionally on the highway to restoration.

Joao Palhinha

Moving into the ready-made bracket, Fulham’s midfield common provides an fascinating prospect for Klopp to mull over.

Since swapping Lisbon for London, the Portugal worldwide impressed as his aspect bucked the pattern to retain their Premier League standing. He performed an enormous half on this, and that is the primary purpose he’s an ideal, confirmed candidate for Liverpool.

In his first season in England, Palhinha accomplished and common of 34.5 90-minute matches, beating Fabinho, who solely accomplished 29.7. Availability goes to be essential if the membership want to attain he pinnacle of English soccer as soon as once more.

Fulham’s midfielder additionally nearly doubled Fabinho’s tackles-per-90 minutes, too, finishing an common of 4.26 to 2.19.

Wilfried Ndidi

An exterior possibility, granted, although the Leicester City midfielder merely cannot be missed with six years’ value of Premier League expertise. What’s extra, he is nonetheless solely 26.

Ndidi was a vital cog in Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester groups that certified for Europe and gained the FA Cup, usually being in comparison with Fabinho all through the period.

The duo went nearly tit-for-tat with mixed tackles and interceptions final season, Fabinho’s whole of narrowly beating Ndidi’s 99. The Nigerian additionally made extra clearances, totalling 48.

That being stated, the most important facet of his recreation that proves unattractive is his charge of errors resulting in opposition pictures, main this checklist of candidates by a rustic mile with three in 27 appearances.

Aurelien Tchouameni

There’s a particular purpose the Real Madrid midfielder has been left till final. No, he is not a part of the ready-made checklist per se, however as a substitute simply appears merely untouchable.

Reports yesterday emerged about Tchouameni, stating that Real need to preserve the participant. Still, it does no hurt in stating how excellent of a candidate he can be to plug the hole left by Fabinho’s departure.

Firstly, from an attacking standpoint, he recorded probably the most attacking returns on this shortlist with 4 assists. This got here regardless of beginning solely 24 occasions, in comparison with the likes of Palhinha’s 35 and Fabinho’s 31 begins.

His cross success is classy, finishing 92.8%, and he boasts the best shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, averaging 2.67.

It can be a dream for Klopp to have a participant of this calibre at his disposal, however in the end it’s the unlikeliest state of affairs of the lot.