Fabinho left out of Liverpool’s 32-man squad for pre-season training camp

Fabinho has been left out of Liverpool‘s squad for their pre-season training camp in Germany and is on the brink of ending his five-year stay at the club.

Al Hilal, the Saudi team managed by Nuno Espírito Santo, have made a significant bid for the Brazil international midfielder and Liverpool felt it was prudent to leave Fabinho on Merseyside while discussions continue for his potential sale.

It is a significant moment for Liverpool, as Fabinho – so often called ‘The Hoover’ by Jurgen Klopp – has been an integral part of their team since he arrived from Monaco in 2018 and established himself as one of the best holding midfielders in the business.

If, as is looking likely, Fabinho leaves, Liverpool will need to replace him and they are considering a number of options including Romeo Lavia of Southampton, Bayern Munich‘s Ryan Gravenberch and Sofyan Amrabat, Fiorentina’s Moroccan powerhouse who has also been linked with Manchester United.

Interest from Saudi Arabia has seen Fabinho left out of Liverpool’s pre-season camp squad

Jordan Henderson’s £700,000-a-week offer from Saudi Arabia has not stopped him travelling

Another surprising candidate on Liverpool’s list is Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips. How likely it would be for the clubs to do business, though, remains to be seen – there has not been a transfer between them since Raheem Sterling moved to The Etihad from Anfield in July 2015.

Moses Caicedo has been linked persistently with Liverpool but the likelihood is he will move to Chelsea, while Aurelian Tchouameni – who Liverpool pursued 12 months ago – is thought to be unobtainable this summer from Real Madrid.

Jordan Henderson, Liverpool’s captain, has travelled to Germany regardless of the speculation around his own future. 

Klopp’s side play their opening pre-season friendly on Wednesday against Karlsruhe, a fixture that could see new signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Sbozoszlai make their first appearances for the club.

Travelling party: Alisson, Gomez, Van Dijk, Konate, Thiago, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Mac Allister, Salah, Adrian, Henderson, Gakpo, Jota, Tsimikas, Robertson, Matip, Bajcetic, Phillips, Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Pitaluga, Bradley, Clark, Doak, Frauendorf, Jaros, Koumas, McConnell, Mrozek, Quansah, Scanlon. 

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips (left) is a candidate to replace Fabinho at Anfield