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Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp were forced to alter their summer transfer plans after Fabinho's unexpected exit.
Given Henderson's transfer also brought in £12m, Liverpool's transfer kitty has been boosted significantly. However, the Reds have so far been having trouble spending it.
It means, going into the second game of the Premier League season, Klopp remains without a replacement for Fabinho
Ready-made is what the Reds need as of now. And this is why there is no option more interesting than the Fulham pivot Joao Palhinha
Premier League experience - tick. Internationally capped - yes
Since his arrival in England last summer from boyhood club Sporting Lisbon, Palhinha was an integral part in a successful campaign For Fulham
Playing on average 34.5 of the 38 league matches last year, this is the first attractive aspect of Palhinha's game. In comparison, Fabinho only completed 29.7.
Additionally, the Portugal international has demonstrated he has the credentials required to effectively soak up play and start attacks
From the defensive standpoint, the Fulham man virtually doubled Fabinho's tackles-per-90,
Fabinho's pass success rate of 88.3%. But Palhinha's 82.5% offers a promising foundation to build upon.
Palhinha recorded three Premier League goals throughout 2022-23,
Sold yet? He may tick a lot of boxes, but ultimately there could be a catch, aside from the fact that is currently recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in pre-season.
At 28 - one year younger than Fabinho - would Liverpool purchase a player that may need replacing just a few years down the line?
If Palhinha could be prised away from the capital for a relatively low-risk fee - Fulham are said to want £60m - and then partnered alongside a longer-term replacement and understudy, like Fluminense's Andre Trindade, then this could well be a deal worth trying to pull off
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