Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Leeds Live
Leeds Live
Sport
Ed Mackey

Liverpool duo spotted at Elland Road as debate rages on about Raphinha's Leeds United future

Liverpool stars Fabinho and Thiago were in attendance at Elland Road as Leeds United were beaten by Manchester United on Sunday.

The duo watched on as the visitors completed their first Premier League double over the Whites since the 1999/2000 campaign.

The appearance of the two Liverpool players in West Yorkshire has understandably sparked debate with a number of reasons being speculated by supporters of each of three clubs.

The most obvious of those is that the pair were watching friends in action in the match as both are mates with some of those on show at Elland Road on Sunday. Fabinho plays alongside Raphinha at international level for Brazil and has praised the Leeds winger on a few occasions, even endorsing a potential move to Liverpool.

Fred and Alex Telles also both play for the five-time World Cup winners and the former netted the goal that went on to be the winner. Meanwhile, Thiago also has Brazilian links as his father played for the national team between 1989 and 1994.

However, he ultimately chose to represent to Spain, the same nation that his best mate Rodrigo plays for.

Since the age of 10, the pair have been close friends after playing together for Flamengo all the way back in 2002, so much so that plenty of people in Brazil thought they were related.

The trip to see their mates in action also ties in with Fabinho and Thiago’s next match as Liverpool welcome Leeds to Anfield on Wednesday evening.

Whether it was the purpose of their trip or not, they will have been keeping a close eye on the Whites’ midfield which was depleted after just half an hour with Robin Koch leaving the pitch.

The final of the theories about the visit of Fabinho and Thiago to Elland Road can certainly be classified under the ‘conspiracy’ category.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Raphinha for the majority of the last year and some Reds fans believe their midfield duo were on a not so ‘secret’ scouting mission.

It’s extremely hard to believe Jurgen Klopp would send two of his best players to do his scouting rather than a member or two of his well-stocked recruitment team.

The most likely reason for their visit is that they were just keen to see their friends in action, something they don’t often get to do given the scheduling of Premier League matches, but that's not stopping the speculation in Merseyside.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.