Jurgen Klopp has conceded that Liverpool could look to loan Fabio Carvalho out next season after the youngster failed to make an impact at Anfield this term.
The Reds fought off competition to snap up Carvalho, 20, last summer after the exciting winger ran down his contract at Fulham, where he excelled in the Cottagers' Championship -winning campaign.
However, Carvalho has struggled to live up to expectations since becoming a Liverpool player; the former Portugal Under-21 international was a regular in Klopp's team at the start of the season but has played just eight minutes in the Premier League since the turn of the year.
And now it seems as though the talented youngster could be given the green light to leave Merseyside on a temporary basis to continue his development during the 2023/24 campaign.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's season finale against Southampton, Klopp said: “I think there is a possibility that maybe Fabio will go on loan or whatever. We will see. The thing is, this was not Fabio’s best year of his career, clearly, in a very young career, but it might have been his most important.”
Klopp's comments on a potential loan move come less than 12 months after he tipped the Fulham academy graduate to play a major role for the Reds, who shelled out around £7million for his services.
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After the capture of Carvalho had been confirmed last summer, Klopp said: “Top player. I really love it. He's a massive talent and a really good kid. I'm really happy to have him, so it's very important for us because we count on this age group as well. We don't wait now until they are 22, 23 or whatever and use them.
“He is ready like Harvey is ready in the similar age group. That's really cool. We all need luck in life as well with injury and stuff like this, but without that he will be a really important player for us.”
If Carvalho does end up leaving Liverpool on loan in the coming months, he will be in good company. A quartet of high-profile stars, including Roberto Firmino, have already confirmed they will be moving on for good once their current deals expire as Klopp bids to reshape his playing squad.
The Anfield chief is expected to overhaul his midfield options this summer and Chelsea talisman Mason Mount has been heavily linked with the Reds. Brighton star Moises Caicedo is also believed to be on Klopp's transfer wishlist along with Bayern Munich maestro Ryan Gravenberch.
