Liverpool outcast says Klopp exit is a ‘contemporary begin’ for him and one other star

Despite a challenging first year at Liverpool and a season spent on loan, Fabio Carvalho has no plans to end his Reds career this summer.

The Portuguese player moved from Fulham to Anfield in a deal worth up to £7.7m but found himself sidelined during the second half of Jurgen Klopp’s disappointing 2022/23 campaign. With only eight starts under his belt, Carvalho was loaned out to RB Leipzig last summer before moving to Hull City in January due to limited opportunities in Germany. Now, with nine goals in 19 games for the Tigers, he’s back on the pitch and enjoying his football again.

Rumours about his future beyond this season are swirling, especially with recent reports suggesting interest in him ahead of a summer of change at Anfield as Klopp prepares to step down after nine years at the helm. However, with Feyenoord boss Arne Slot tipped to take over from Klopp, Carvalho is eager to impress the next Liverpool manager in pre-season and secure his future at the club, reports the Liverpool Echo.

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“Yeah, that’s the target,” he said. “The way I see it, it’s a fresh start. Not just for me, but obviously whoever comes in. It’ll be a fresh start for me, and for the likes of Tyler [Morton, fellow Liverpool loanee at Hull City] as well. We’ve just got to take the chances that come. Really grasp it and take it with both hands.

“Tyler and I have spoken [about about the summer]. Especially after the news came out about Jurgen. We just spoke about what could potentially change at the club. Ultimately, it’s a fresh start for both of us. We’ll just go back there with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

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“Obviously I want to break into the Liverpool first-team squad, into the starting XI as well. For now, I’m focused on Hull City and getting promoted. I’m going to see how pre-season turns out and then we’ll make a decision [on my future] after that.”

Before the news broke about the possible move for Slot, Carvalho had admitted that he had noticed speculation surrounding Klopp’s potential replacement. Despite acknowledging the impact this could have on his own future at Liverpool, the youngster confessed he was not investing too much thought in such chatter.

“I’ve heard a few things but I’m just focused on myself and focused what I’m doing right now,” he said. “I’m trying to stay away from the social media and all that, which doesn’t really add anything to my life.

“Whoever comes in, I’m sure that whoever is appointed, the fans will have their back and I’m sure that the owners and the higher-ups won’t make a decision where it’s going to backfire, I’m sure they will make the right decision.”

Carvalho was as surprised as everyone else when Klopp announced his departure from Liverpool in January. Morton was the one who informed the forward, who hasn’t yet had a chance to discuss the decision with his soon-to-be former manager.

“Same way you did, I think! ” he laughed. “Just on the internet. I remember it was right before training. I was getting ready to go out and then Tyler was like, ‘Fabio, have you seen what’s happened? ‘ I was like, ‘nah’, and he showed me on his phone.

“And then I went on my phone, I had a few messages from people who I know and who are close to me. They all just said the same thing. I’ve not spoken to him [Klopp] because I know he’s got a lot of stuff to focus on. But I will speak to him eventually.

“He had the League Cup final, which we won. He’s got a lot of stuff going on and I’ll just leave him until the end [of the season]. Eventually, I’ll speak to him.”