Liverpool are on the verge of signing Fulham youngster Fabio Carvalho - and the deal proves Mikel Arteta 's theory about Jurgen Klopp 's side.
The Reds made a late move for Carvalho in the January transfer window after an £8.4million deal was agreed to bring the 19-year-old to Anfield , but time ran out and the move was scrapped. However, it appears to have only been a temporary failure, as Liverpool have finalised a deal worth £5m plus add-ons that will see him move in the summer.
With Carvalho's contract up at the end of the season, the England U21 star was free to move away from Fulham, and after Liverpool failed with their pursuit in January, the star had a lot of time to consider his next club. But the fact that he will still be joining Liverpool is a major statement, and proves Arteta's theory right.
Liverpool are still in the running to become the first English team to complete the quadruple, and after beating Benfica 3-1 away from home in the Champions League quarter-final, they are one step closer to their optimistic goal. Liverpool may be one of the biggest teams in Europe, but the fact that they have signed Carvalho with little interference elsewhere, highlights just how desirable they are in England.
But this was already known by Arteta, who labelled the Reds as the 'best team' in England last month, which may not go down well with friend and former colleague Pep Guardiola. Speaking ahead of Liverpool's 2-0 victory against Arsenal in March, Arteta said: "We are facing arguably the best team in England and have to be at our best to beat them.
"You face a team that dominates every single aspect of the game, so when that happens you have to be at your very best. Credit to Jurgen, the coaching staff and to the club as well for what they have created.
"They haven’t just created a team that can compete and be successful, They have created a huge cultural understanding of who Liverpool is today. The stadium and the atmosphere they can create, the support, the level, how they communicate.
"It’s a lot of things, not just individuals, or the players that they have recruited and the plan that they had to reach that level. It’s a whole plan that I really value."
Liverpool have a track record of developing youngsters, and former Fulham team-mate Harvey Elliott has proved just how beneficial life can be under Klopp for Carvalho. But a few years ago it's likely that the 19-year-old would have been snapped up by either City or Manchester United, but the Reds have altered things since Klopp took charge.
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They have become successful, admired and respected, and although domestically it is City that have dominated the Premier League in recent years, Liverpool's efforts to catch them this year have not gone unnoticed. Klopp has already won this season's first domestic trophy after the Carabao Cup final win against Chelsea, and they face City in the FA Cup semi-final as they look to add to their success.
There's a possibility that the two could meet in the Champions League too, although both English sides would have to make it to the final to do so. But Liverpool already have one foot in the next round after beating Benfica 3-1 in the first-leg.
The real test of nerve comes on Sunday though, as City host Liverpool with just one point separating the two sides, and the result could shape the future of the title race this season. Regardless of this season though, Liverpool will have Carvalho amongst their ranks for the next campaign, as Klopp looks to ensure that the Reds' success will continue into the future.
