Liverpool already has wildcard Roberto Firmino replacement with new role for Jürgen Klopp star

With a key summer transfer window on the horizon, Liverpool may not have to look far to find a future successor to Roberto Firmino’s role.

With Roberto Firmino set to leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season, Jurgen Klopp may have to start testing the market for possible alternatives – but he must first decide whether he there is already a solution in the team.

There have been signs that Liverpool are considering bringing in Cody Gakpo as Firmino’s replacement, with some question marks over why the Reds made a move for the Netherlands international to meet January’s need for a Midfielder. But while it’s clear it will be some time before anyone can replicate the influence Firmino adds in the false nine, it’s unclear if Gakpo will eventually be moved to the left flank.

Fábio Carvalho, who has seen a few minutes lately, will return to a team where the competition for minutes is even greater, but given his ability to dribble the ball under pressure and his technical ability on goal, it’s for the best former Fulham star who could be Klopp’s wild card.

Much like Gakpo, it would be fair to assume that Carvalho is yet to confirm his best standing in the Liverpool system. The 20-year-old has played several games from the wing, but without the pace that Luis Díaz or Darwin Núñez can provide, his success has been mixed.

Carvalho’s absence from the Liverpool first team was also quite abrupt. After making 18 appearances and being regularly involved, he hasn’t played since the 1-0 FA Cup win at Wolves. In some ways, he’s lucky he hasn’t had a role in some of the bad shows of 2023, but with Firmino’s departure looking more likely, he may now have more clarity on his future role than he does.

This will be key going forward for Carvalho, who looks less likely to secure a place on the left. Once Díaz returns, he could be considered the fourth choice behind Núñez and Jota, although Klopp still seems to be looking for the perfect player to lead from the centre. The Portuguese youth international could be a wildcard solution.

As a player of natural talent and with a preference for the ball played in the feet, Carvalho’s formation in Firmino’s role could pay the biggest dividends at Liverpool. While a strong option on either wing, Liverpool would also have a comfortable player linking play from centre-forward, while Jota and Núñez are better suited to directing runs behind the defensive line.

Whether Carvalho can become a regular for Liverpool may depend on how quickly he adapts to the role, but he may only benefit from playing more minutes in a position, rather than becoming a good option so early in his career. he. And with there not really being a need to sign a striker in the summer, Klopp will be able to focus on midfield development, a part of the pitch that has seen far less investment in recent years, with no senior transfers since Thiago Alcântara was acquired. arrived from Bayern Munich in the summer during the 2020-2021 season.