Liverpool produced a tenacious performance to overcome Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Wednesday evening, overcoming a poor first-half performance to blitz the Old Gold with a barrage of fire in the second half to gain a crucial three points
It was far from vintage, and it bore no resemblance to the previous dominant Reds team, which was so well-oiled and strong under Jürgen Klopp’s direction, but victory was secured, and Liverpool now sits only six points outside of the Champions League places, with a game in hand.
Indeed, with three victories in the last four matches in the English Premier League, Liverpool appear to be on the mend, and despite a damaging 5-2 defeat at Anfield against Real Madrid last week, there is a promising trend that tantalises brighter fortunes in the coming weeks after such a bleak spell.
Now, with probably the most important stretch of football ahead of Klopp’s tenure, the added dimension that precocious talent Fabio Carvalho brings could just rekindle the fire and ensure that Liverpool complete the year triumphantly.
Should Klopp now let Carvalho loose?
Carvalho joined Liverpool from Fulham for £5 million last summer after the deal fell through on transfer deadline day the previous January. He has played 18 games for the Reds, scoring three goals.
Prior to this, the 20-year-old scored ten goals and provided eight assists in 36 Championship appearances for the Cottagers last season, displaying a wealth of trickery and fleet-footed prowess.
According to FBref, the prodigy ranks among the top 1% of midfielders in terms of rate of goals and touches in the attacking box per 90 minutes, as well as among the top 14% in terms of progressive carries per 90 minutes. He has a knack for finding the net and a transitional ability that belies his young age and lack of top-flight experience.
Former footballer George Chomakov praised him for his “Coutinho vibes,” and the £40k-per-week wonder is now valued at around £22m by CIES Football Observatory, a price that might increase as he continues his development within one of the Premier League’s most famous outfits.
Carvalho’s debut, according to football writer Adam Brown, was another sign that Liverpool has a new Coutinho-like master to dazzle from the center.
“An outstanding debut from Fábio Carvalho saw Liverpool re-discover a midfield aspect that has been absent since Philippe Coutinho’s departure in 2018,” Brown added. Carvalho is expected to play an important part for Klopp’s team this season.”
Liverpool’s static energy has been a glaring feature this season, and with moments of brilliance possibly necessary to nudge over the line in the key stages, Carvalho can step up and provide the flare and panache.
He’s previously stepped up in a huge occasion, and he might do it again.
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