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Liverpool transfer news: Reds to consider three options as they look to replace aging Fabinho

Liverpool will need to make major moves in the summer transfer window if they are to once again compete for silverware. Question is, who will they recruit to replace aging midfielder Fabinho?

Last seasons 'quadruple chasing Reds' are hoping to end a woeful 2022/23 campaign inside the top four.

There have been many reasons for Liverpool's downfall this season with injuries, fixture congestion and Jurgen Klopp's lack of versatility all coming into play.

One reason that is often overlooked, however, is the form of Liverpool's anchor - Fabinho.

The Brazil international has been one of Klopp's first names on the team sheet ever since he joined the club in 2018.

However, with Klopp himself saying Liverpool "will spend in the summer", it begs the question, will Fabinho remain at Anfield? If not, who could replace him?

Joao Palhinha - Fulham

Palhinha was on the radar of many clubs in summer, ultimately chosing to join Fulham for a deal worth around £20million.

In hindsight, this was a steal for Fulham's manager, Marco Silva. The defensive-midfielder has added quality to the club's midfield that they've often lacked during previous campaigns.

The 27-year-old has been a star for Silva's side and has appeared 24 times in the Premier League thus far, even scoring three goals.
Palhinha's style of play is very similar to that of Fabinho's in the sense that he often dictates games and provides great cover for his defence.
As well as this, he also has a great range of passing and often makes the pass before the assist. His playstyle would also align perfectly with Thiago's.
Despite this, he isn't the fastest of players which could prove a problem as Liverpool don't currently have many fast midfielders in their squad.
Throughout the 2022/23 season, Palhinha has been deployed as a defensive-midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 formation. This would allow him to slot into Liverpool's tactical style instantaneously.
The midfielder would be an ideal successor to Fabinho and would add some stability to Liverpool's shaky midfield.

Manuel Ugarte - Sporting CP

Next on the list is yet another player who's career started within the Sporting CP academy. 

Ugarte is a ball winning midfielder who ticks off all of Klopp's ideals in a midfielder.

The midfielder is only 21 years old but has been one of the stand out players within Sporting's team throughout the campaign. 

It's no surprise that Liverpool's midfield needs galvanising after playing every game possible last season. This is another reason that can be factored into Fabinho's downfall.
Although the Uruguay international hasn't contributed to any goals this season, his defensive capabilities are second to none.

He is currently rated at around the £22million mark but this is likely only around half of the amount an eventual deal would come to.

Sofyan Amrabat - Fiorentina

The name Sofyan Amrabat didn't carry much weight until his exceptional performances for Morocco in the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Since the commencement of the tournament, he has been linked with an abundance of clubs. 

Barcelona reportedly agreed a loan deal with an option to buy for the midfielder in January.

Klopp's men have been consistently linked with the 26-year-old and he would be an ideal candidate to replace Fabinho.
He is entering the final 18-months of his contract which would allow the Reds to make a cut-price deal for the Morocco international.
As Amrabat enters his prime, he will likely be looking to make the next step in football sooner rather than later.

Fabinho will be turning 30 next season, an age which is deemed 'old' in football these days. 

The summer transfer window may be the last time Klopp will recieve a sizable fee for the Brazilian.

Amrabat would likely cost around the same amount that Fabinho would sell for. This is ideal for Klopp and FSG as Liverpool still operate on a sell-to-buy basis.

Each of these players would be ideal ways for Liverpool to improve their performance next season. Only time will tell whether or not transfers like this will be made.

READ MORE: Manchester United news: Red Devils show interest in Benfica star Goncalo Ramos

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