"He’s a very clever footballer": Ex-Liverpool man compares 21-year-old star to former Reds player Philippe Coutinho
Liverpool legend and boyhood supporter Phil Thompson has heaped praise on youngster Fabio Carvalho after being impressed with him in pre-season. The Englishman compared the 21-year-old to former Anfield sensation Philippe Coutinho.
This is high praise indeed considering how Carvalho's future at the club is yet to be ascertained while the Brazilian Coutinho is the club's record sale at £142 million when he moved to Barcelona from the Reds in 2018.
Thompson told talkSPORT that Carvalho is a very clever footballer and likes to play between the lines, something that was the Brazilian's biggest strength during his time at Anfield. He said:
"He scored two goals in the last [two games], against Arsenal, against Man United and he’s a very clever footballer, likes to get between the lines. I know he’s a bit lightweight, but he’s very much like Coutinho and he can deliver.”
Like Coutinho, the 21-year-old can also play across the three positions behind the striker while also doubling up as a false nine. In the absence of international stars, who are just returning from summer tournaments with their countries, new Liverpool manager Arne Slot played Carvalho in each of the three pre-season games.
Southampton have shown interest in the Liverpool youngster
The Portugal youth international is heavily linked with a move away from the 19-time English champions, with Southampton leading the race to sign him. The Saints reportedly had a £15 million bid rejected as the Merseyside club awaits Slot's assessment of his squad.
“He is a player we have liked for a while. We spoke in January but couldn’t get it done for one reason or another," Southampton boss Russell Martin said (via Mirror).
Martin, however, failed to throw in the towel in their pursuit of Carvalho and said that they will have to "wait and see" if they can sign the former Fulham youth player.
According to The Athletic, Liverpool do not intend to allow Carvalho to leave on loan and would need Southampton to considerably increase their offer if they are to secure the versatile attacker's services.
Liverpool signed Carvalho from Fulham in 2022 and has since then sent him on loan to Leipzig and Hull City in the past couple of seasons to allow him to develop. The Portuguese has been in good form recently, having scored for the Reds in their previous two friendlies - against Arsenal and Manchester United.
Liverpool will play their final friendly at Anfield against Spanish side Sevilla on 11th August before starting their Premier League season with an away match to newly-promoted side Ipswich Town.