Two years on from his Liverpool exit, Fabinho has detailed why he left the club and the talks that made him depart for Saudi Arabia.
Though he, like much of the squad, had not performed well in the previous season, Fabinho began the summer of 2023 ready to push hard again with Liverpool the following campaign.
As things worked out, the Brazilian would depart for Al-Ittihad in the summer window, leaving behind the Reds after five years at the club in which he had become arguably the world’s best defensive midfielder.
In an interview with Thiago Rabelo for the Guardian, the 31-year-old recalled his transfer and what led to him moving on.
“I didn’t want to leave the club and go to any other club in Europe,” said the midfielder.
“I thought it was the best place in the world to play, to keep developing as a player. I wanted my legacy and my history at the club to grow even more but our last season was very gruelling, tiring.
“We didn’t do well and failed to qualify for the Champions League. I lost my position as a starter for a few games, but that happens.
“I came back for the following season, even though the previous one hadn’t been good, with a very good mentality and wanting to fight for the Premier League title again. But before the season started, Al-Ittihad made an offer for me and the Liverpool directors said it was very good for the club and for me.”
Though Liverpool’s directors were keen on the £40 million fee being offered, Fabinho didn’t jump at the chance to leave.
Instead, he would seek advice from Klopp and those on the playing side of the club.
“I thought I was an important player…”
He continued: “I was afraid and decided to wait to see what [the coaching staff] would say. I thought I was an important player and that they would refuse any offer, but I realised that the club was open to selling me.”
Klopp was top of the list for those to confide in, and the Brazilian recalled his conversation, saying: “He called me and asked me what I wanted.
“I said that I’d heard the offer and liked it but that I wanted to hear from him what he thought. He said that if there are any players who want to leave, he won’t hold them back.
“It was a speech that kind of opened the door for me to leave. That conversation with the coach could have kept me at the club but he left it open and I didn’t like it very much.
“I always like to do a prayer before I make my decisions. 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.”
Upon reflection, it was the right time for Fabinho to leave; he had lost any pace he previously had and was frequently being left exposed by Liverpool’s ageing midfield.
Perhaps, had he been placed in a midfield three containing Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, he may have had longer at the top.
In hindsight, it was a good move for Liverpool, and Fabinho has since had a successful 2024/25 campaign as he won the league and cup double in Saudi Arabia.