Liverpool could land ‘very influential’ Fabinho replacement with better stats than Romeo Lavia

The writing is on the wall. Liverpool look set to lose at least two more of their most experienced players this transfer window.

After James Milner and Roberto Firmino served the end of their contracts, it truly felt like the sun was setting on a huge era at Anfield. The two arrived on Merseyside during the same window back in 2015, in what would be Brendan Rodgers’ last summer spending spree as manager of the Reds. They joined the ranks alongside Nathaniel Clyne, Mark Grujic, and Christian Benteke, making for interesting viewing as fans probably threw things at their TVs at home as they wished for better midfield options. Some things may never change.

However, little did they know that Rodgers had just brought in two of the most hard-working and passionate players the club has seen in recent years. Between them, they contributed to Liverpool’s phoenix-style rise from the ashes to win their first ever Premier League title and the Champions League under Jurgen Klopp.

After the last home fixture of the 2022/23 season, Anfield honoured the club legends as they both prepared for the next chapter in their career, having delivered their very best to the team for eight years each. They joined together and they left together — poetry. Sweet, heartbreaking poetry.

Now, a new era is dawning - or at least, it was starting to. Klopp made it his mission to plug the leaky gaps in his midfield engine room and build Liverpool back up to a title-challenging entity. With just shy of £100 million splashed out on Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, a ripple of excitement crept through the fanbase as the loyal Reds dreamed of a powerhouse midfield trio featuring the two new boys and Fabinho just behind, to cover all bases.

That was, until Liverpool’s impressive progress up the tricky hike of the transfer window started to stumble, and now they’re fighting their way back up against a mudslide of exit rumours. Both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson are headed for the door as the Saudi Pro League has turned their attention to Anfield. Fabrizio Romano’s latest update claims that the clubs are expected to confirm Henderson’s move soon, while details are still being ironed out with Fabinho.

If taking the captain and the first choice defensive midfielder wasn’t enough, Saudi Arabia have also set their sights on Thiago, who has been something of a grey area for Liverpool this window. The ever-pumping rumour mill suggested the former Bayern Munich star could’ve been offered up as a sacrificial lamb to both make room on the roster and raise summer funds. However, the Reds are now keen to see him stay, as one by one, the more senior midfielders are peeling away.

Based on this exodus trajectory, Curtis Jones is set to be the longest-serving member of the midfield come the new season, and he is only 22. While it will certainly be a positive arc in his career, Liverpool as a team can’t get by with only Jones and Stefan Bajcetic in the more central and defensive roles. Klopp needs to return to the transfer market and he needs to get a deal done sharpish.

It’s not finding the players that’s the problem though, fortunately. The Reds aren’t short of potential suitors and they’ve already shown they can attract high profile names. Southampton’s Roméo Lavia, who is desperate to get back to the Premier League, has been on the radar for a while now, but a new face could be a better option.

Liverpool have been linked to Cheick Doucouré of Crystal Palace who, like Lavia, only joined his club last summer. But none of that matters if the price is right, and that’s exactly where we will start. Football Insider has reported that the Eagles are looking for an offer ‘well in excess’ of £35 million for Doucouré. Now, the whole ‘well in excess’ part could honestly mean anything, so that’s down to how well Liverpool can negotiate, but right now the quoted fee is less than the £50 million Southampton are seeking for Lavia.

If both Henderson and Fabinho leave, Liverpool are expected to pocket a combined £50 million through their sales, which will buy Doucouré and leave them with some cash left over to pursue a fourth midfielder.

The 23-year-old Mali international started all but four Premier League games for Palace last season, quickly establishing himself as a key part of the squad. He also racked up some impressive stats during his debut campaign with the Eagles. Doucouré averaged an impressive 2.3 tackles per league match compared to Lavia’s 2.1, and he also trumped Fabinho who had an average of 1.8, as per WhoScored.

The Palace star also averaged more interceptions (1.6) and clearances (1.4), than both Fabinho (1 and 1.1) and Lavia (1.1 and 0.8) per 90 minutes.

At 19 years of age, Lavia is certainly a prospect for the future, but if Klopp is really going to lose the majority of his midfield this window, he needs a ready-made, experienced replacement. Doucouré’s stats speak for themselves and with a cheaper price tag as well, he seems the more logical purchase out of the two. Who knows, maybe Liverpool are gunning for both midfield stars, but in a more sensible world where they are having to choose between the two, Doucouré stands out from the pack.

Roy Hodgson was also very pleased with what he saw last season, describing his player as being a “very influential” member of his Palace team.

The former Liverpool boss said: “He’s one of those players that plays in a position which is a bit of a fulcrum of the attacking midfield play and defending midfield play. His positional sense, his ability to read the game, his technical ability, and the fact that he gets around the field so well [makes him influential]. I noticed he’s up there amongst people who’ve made the most interceptions, which is nice to see.”

In just his first term in English football, the midfielder scooped the Crystal Palace Player of the Season award, beating the likes of Marc Guehi and Michael Olise to the honour. Doucouré has settled in nicely in the Premier League and it seems the Eagles are keen to make a profit on him already, so the likelihood of Liverpool landing a deal this summer is high, providing they take the opportunity and don’t drag their heels when it comes to replacing their outgoing key midfielders.