![\"Liverpool](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_KloppFabinho.jpg\")
Liverpool manager J\u00fcrgen Klopp embraces Fabinho.(Image: Photo by Etsuo Hara\/Getty Images)<\/p>\nFabinho has opened up on his surprise Liverpool exit and \u00a340m move to Al-Ittihad in 2023Liverpool manager J\u00fcrgen Klopp embraces Fabinho.(Image: Photo by Etsuo Hara\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Fabinho has admitted that he did not want to leave Liverpool when he signed for Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023. The Brazil international joined the Saudi Pro League side in a \u00a340m deal after five seasons at Anfield<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 31-year-old made 219 appearances during his time with the Reds, returning 11 goals and nine assists, and was a key player as Liverpool <\/a>won the Premier League<\/a>, Champions League<\/a>, League Cup<\/a> and European Super Cup.<\/p>\n However, he suffered a drop-off in form during his final season with the Reds as Jurgen Klopp<\/a>\u2019s side missed out on qualifying for the Champions League.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Alexander Isak transfer takes ugly turn as Liverpool wait on new Newcastle United move<\/a>READ MORE: Liverpool consider move for Parma defender Giovanni Leoni as centre-back plan emerges<\/a><\/p>\n Liverpool would undergo a midfield revamp in the summer of 2023 as they brought in Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch for a little over \u00a3151m.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Fabinho was one of a number of midfield departures as Jordan Henderson<\/a> was also sold to Saudi Arabia while James Milner<\/a>, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all left at the end of their contracts.<\/p>\n Looking back on his departure, the Brazilian has now admitted he did not want to leave and had not expected Liverpool to be open to selling him.<\/p>\n But after speaking to then-manager Klopp and realising the German would not fight to retain him, Fabinho<\/a> decided it was the right time to move on.<\/p>\n \u201cLiverpool is a sensational club that helps us with everything,\u201d he told the Guardian<\/a>. \u201cNot just on the pitch but in your life too.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything they\u2019ve done for me and my family has been spectacular; I\u2019ve never seen anything like it.<\/p>\n \u201cEverywhere you go, not only in England, the supporters show a lot of love for the club and the players.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t want to leave the club and go to any other club in Europe. I thought it was the best place in the world to play, to keep developing as a player.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted my legacy and my history at the club to grow even more but our last season was very gruelling, tiring.<\/p>\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t do well and failed to qualify for the Champions League. I lost my position as a starter for a few games, but that happens.<\/p>\n \u201cI came back for the following season, even though the previous one hadn\u2019t been good, with a very good mentality and wanting to fight for the Premier League title again.<\/p>\n \u201cBut 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n He continued: \u201cHe (Jurgen Klopp) called me and asked me what I wanted. I said that I\u2019d heard the offer and liked it but that I wanted to hear from him what he thought.<\/p>\n \u201cHe said that if there are any players who want to leave, he won\u2019t hold them back. It was a speech that kind of opened the door for me to leave.<\/p>\n \u201cThat conversation with the coach could have kept me at the club but he left it open and I didn\u2019t like it very much.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a343<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755048431_935_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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