Fabinho exit a necessity now — Steve Nicol

In what could be a significant blow to Liverpool’s midfield, Fabinho’s departure from Anfield appears imminent, with one former Liverpool player suggesting that the Brazilian can no longer compete at the highest level due to his waning physical prowess.

Since joining the Reds from Monaco in the summer of 2018 for a fee of £39 million, Fabinho has been a crucial figure for Liverpool, making 219 appearances over the course of five seasons and playing a pivotal role in the team’s recent successes.

However, there were noticeable signs last season that Fabinho’s best days might be behind him. Liverpool’s midfield was occasionally outperformed and outmaneuvered, casting doubts on the Brazilian’s long-term future with the club.

Two defeats stand out as particularly painful for Liverpool. A 2-1 home loss to Leeds United, who were ultimately relegated, in October raised eyebrows. Additionally, a demoralizing 3-0 defeat to Brighton in January severely damaged Liverpool’s top-four aspirations and further raised concerns about Fabinho’s future on Merseyside.

In response, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has taken decisive action, restructuring the midfield by allowing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, and James Milner to leave as their contracts expired. Although the signings of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for a combined fee of £95 million have bolstered the squad, Liverpool is still keen on securing at least one more midfielder.

The departures from Anfield may not end there, as Fabinho and Jordan Henderson are currently in talks regarding moves to Saudi Arabia. Notably, renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed on Sunday that an agreement for Fabinho’s transfer is now “done.” If finalized, the move will see Liverpool receive a significant sum of £40 million, boosting their transfer budget.

Meanwhile, Jordan Henderson’s suitors, Al Ettifaq, are deliberating whether to meet Liverpool’s valuation of £10 million for the 33-year-old England international.

Liverpool legend Steve Nicol believes that the sale of Fabinho has become a necessity, questioning whether the 29-year-old midfielder still possesses the stamina required to compete against more energetic midfielders in the game.

“Do you know, it’s funny. At the end of the season when we were talking about Liverpool’s midfield, and the thing I said was: ‘well, it’s interesting to figure out whether Liverpool – Klopp, in particular – but the coaching staff when they all get together and talk about the players, whether Fabinho had a bad spell or whether his legs might have gone’,” he said.

“And the fact they’re willing to listen to offers for him at this stage, with pre-season already started, tells you that I think the answer is they think his legs have probably gone. So that is what this tells me.

“And if they can get £40m for a guy who they obviously are not desperate to keep, it’s time to let him go. They [absolutely] take the money.”

Fabinho’s absence from Liverpool’s training camp in Germany further suggests that a move away from the club is inevitable.

The lucrative offer of £40 million on the table has made it clear to ESPN why Liverpool is left with little choice but to let Fabinho go. Nicol emphasized that if Liverpool can secure such a substantial fee for a player they are not desperate to retain, it is undoubtedly time for Fabinho to find a new club.

Fabinho’s departure will create space for Liverpool to sign a new No. 6 as his replacement. Among the potential candidates is Romeo Lavia, although Southampton’s steep asking price of £50 million may prove to be a stumbling block in negotiations.

As the transfer window unfolds, Klopp will face a challenging decision in reshaping Liverpool’s midfield and ensuring that the team remains competitive in their pursuit of domestic and European glory.