Liverpool underwent a major overhaul in the summer of 2023 which saw a number of stalwarts leave the club.

The season prior to the window was an absolutely dreadful one, as the Reds finished outside the Champions League places for the first time since 2016.

Players such as James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain began to look long past their best, while there was a surprise drop-off in the form of Fabinho as well.

Seen as one of the best defensive midfielders on the planet prior to the 2022/23 campaign, Fabinho’s decline became a symbol of the end of an era at Anfield.

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Ultimately, it was not a surprise when the Brazilian was sold in the summer, with Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia his destination.

After two years in the Middle East, and with a league title win under his belt, Fabinho has now spoken on the events leading up to his Liverpool exit, and it doesn’t read brilliantly for Jurgen Klopp.

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After Klopp himself left Liverpool in 2024, he openly admitted that he was ready to go after the 2022/23 season.

The campaign had just about worn everyone out, but the former Liverpool manager could see that the club needed a rebuild and wanted to lead it.

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Initially, it seemed as though Fabinho would be a part of that, but as he told The Guardian this weekend, once the offer from Saudi Arabia came in, Klopp ‘opened the door’ for him to go.

“He called me and asked me what I wanted,” says the 31-year-old.

Liverpool is a club I love but the things that happened at the time steered my life towards Arabia.

I left in peace and happy with my decision.”

After two years in the Saudi Pro League, it is difficult to say what Fabinho’s current level is.

SeasonAppearancesGoalsAssistsTrophies2018/194112Champions League2019/203924Premier League2020/214200/2021/224881FA Cup, League Cup2022/234902/Fabinho’s Liverpool career

He no longer looked ready to compete at the top of the game in 2023, and if he makes a return to Europe, it will likely be with a club a level or two below Liverpool.

Nevertheless, that is what Fabinho is aiming for.

“The Brazilian league is also an option – it is getting stronger and stronger – but I also want to go back to Europe.

“I want to play and fight for another Champions League title.

The Premier League is still the best league in the world, but I think I’d prioritise another country that I haven’t had the chance to play in yet.”