“You have a good player who did a lot of good stuff in the past and then maybe, in your mind, you think: 'That's it now for him.’ If you can then go out and bring in another player to replace him that makes sense from both sides [to say]: 'Come on, it was a great time, see you later.'”
When Jurgen Klopp uttered such words earlier this month, going on to hint that Liverpool will make major changes to their playing squad next summer, in truth he could have been referring to a number of under-performing, ageing players at Anfield. But as supporters speculated, one player perhaps stood out more than most - Fabinho.
Once one of the first names on Klopp’s teamsheet, the Brazilian’s drop-off this season has been alarming. Going hand-in-hand with the Reds’ own struggles, particularly in midfield, his displays have even seen him lose his place to 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic in recent weeks.
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