Liverpool need just ‘nine seconds’ to justify transfer call as Jurgen Klopp hints at exit

Jurgen Klopp has publicly stated there is a ‘possibility’ of a player leaving Liverpool this summer and he can allay Jamie Carragher’s concerns.

In August, Liverpool were leading 1-0 at home to Newcastle United at half-time.

Roberto Firmino managed to equalize for the Reds just after the hour mark but it looked like they were headed for a frustrating draw as the visitors did everything to save time.

Then, in the eighth minute of injury time, with virtually the last shot of the game, substitute Fábio Carvalho fired the ball into a scrum inside the penalty area, snatching all three points and sparking wild celebrations.

Carvalho became the youngest Liverpool player in Premier League history to score the winning goal in the 90th minute, continuing a start to his career at Anfield that must have exceeded even his own expectations. He had already opened his account in his second home game in a 9-0 win over Bournemouth a few days earlier.

Klopp had seen enough to give him a start in one of the biggest and busiest games of the season – the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park – in just his sixth game, and just days after his 20th birthday. He would also be included in the squad for three of the next five league games.

But minutes of him have since fallen off a cliff. He’s scored just 11 top-flight goals, stretched painfully over three run-outs and failed to make the squad on seven occasions. The trophies offered little respite either. It was only used in one of Liverpool’s three FA Cup games and the Reds were knocked out of the Carabao Cup anyway at the second hurdle.

He has played just three minutes in the Champions League since early November, with Klopp coming on as a substitute for an embarrassing appearance in the second leg against Real Madrid with the tie already decided and just nine seconds remaining.

If ever a moment summed up the need for a young player to go on loan, this was it.

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And so it came as no surprise when Klopp told the assembled media at his press conference outside Southampton on Friday that “there is a possibility” Carvalho could make a temporary move this summer (via LFC ). There should be a lot of interest, and not just for the flashes he’s shown at a prestigious club like Liverpool. Indeed, clubs will remember his starring role in Fulham’s promotion run last season which earned him a place in the Championship’s Team of the Year.

If Liverpool can find a suitable Premier League candidate, or another top club in a similar division, they could address Carvalho’s biggest weakness: physicality.

Jamie Carragher said (via Rousing The Kop) that the youngster is a “great technical player” but “doesn’t look like a Klopp player”, partly because he has been bullied too often by stronger opponents.

And so it came as no surprise to hear Klopp tell the assembled media at his pre-Southampton press conference on Friday that “there’s a chance” that Carvalho could make a temporary move this summer (via LFC). There should be a lot of interest, and not just for the flashes he’s shown at a prestigious club like Liverpool. Indeed, clubs will remember his starring role in Fulham’s promotion run last season which earned him a place in the Championship’s Team of the Year.

If Liverpool can find a suitable Premier League candidate, or another top club in a similar division, they could address Carvalho’s biggest weakness: physicality.

Jamie Carragher said (via Rousing The Kop) that the youngster is a “great technical player” but “doesn’t look like a Klopp player”, partly because he has been bullied too often by stronger opponents.

However, playing regularly for a team like England, France or Germany would require him to adapt to the rigors of top-flight football. The hope is that Carvalho will be back in a position to thrive at Liverpool – and the new system, with more attacking eights, could suit him if he is kept up for a long time – but if not he should at least increase his value.

While there’s no point in raising money this summer, with its shares improving only marginally, Liverpool could likely make a significant profit on its cheap $10m (£7.7m/€8.9m) outlay thanks to a successful loan.

The current situation is not in favor of either side and there will be a number of midfield upgrades over the coming weeks and months to further complicate matters.

In the end, the best move, both from a sporting and working point of view, is to grant Carvalho a loan that he must certainly want