The wounds of a Champions League final defeat in Kyiv were still raw for Liverpool, physically and emotionally, when they last spent big on a coveted, specialist defensive midfielder. The contrast between the arrival of Fabinho in 2018 and events since his departure is a clear illustration of a transfer operation swapping clarity for confusion.
News of Fabinho’s move from Monaco emerged within 24 hours of the 3-1 defeat against Real Madrid. Mohamed Salah was still receiving treatment on a shoulder injury, and Jürgen Klopp had not even considered the possibility of Loris Karius sustaining concussion, when the €45m transfer was finalised three days after a season of staggering progress had come to a shattering end.
