RB Leipzig’s sporting director Rouven Schroder has played down reports suggesting that Liverpool loanee Fabio Carvalho could be on his way back to the Premier League giants in the January transfer window.
The development of Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Jamal Musiala over in Germany may have proved to be an inspiration for many young English-based players looking for more regular first-team opportunities, but swapping the Premier League for the Bundesliga is no guarantee of success.
See Emil Smith-Rowe at Leipzig. Or Keanan Bennetts at Borussia Monchengladbach.
Fabio Carvalho left Liverpool for Leipzig last summer in the hope of following in Musiala’s footsteps, but has instead endured a spell more reminiscent of Smith-Rowe’s. Far from giving him wings, Red Bull have clipped Carvalho’s, the former Fulham star making only two starts under Marco Rose.
Fabio Carvalho linked with Liverpool return
According to the Liverpool Echo, the Anfield outfit are considering cutting Carvalho’s Leipzig spell short in January, bringing him back to England before mulling over similar loan offers from other interested clubs.
That, however, is news to Rouven Schroder. Leipzig’s sporting director insisting that Carvalho still has a part to play in Germany.
“These are typical power games. Fabio has a contract until summer 2024, (and) we’re absolutely happy with him,” Schroder tells BILD.
“We want the kid to scratch and bite (for his place). He will get his playing time.”
Carvalho joined Liverpool in a £5 million deal back in 2022 but has struggled to emulate the impact of his fellow Fulham graduate Harvey Elliott under Jurgen Klopp. Despite a bright start, and a late winner against Newcastle United, Carvalho quickly fell out of favour, struggling to force his way into an ageing and underperforming Liverpool midfield.
Out of favour at RB Leipzig
“It’s been an interesting season, but I’ve learned a lot from it,” Carvalho told Hypebeast in April.
“I’d obviously have liked to get some more minutes at the club. But I think I’ve gained a lot of valuable lessons to help me improve in the future. (I have learned the value of) patience, and the importance of taking your chances.
“At a club like Liverpool, you need to be ready to step up and be counted on when you’re selected.”
Carvalho may need to call upon those experiences as he awaits an opportunity now at Leipzig.
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