“If he came”: Journalist suggests key player would leave Liverpool if Klopp secures £70m target

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Liverpool have been told they risk losing Fabinho if Jürgen Klopp manages to sign Declan Rice.

What’s the story?

Well, it was Neil Jones – Liverpool correspondent for Goal – who suggested that Liverpool would have to let Fabinho go if they were successful in their attempts to sign the England international.

According to the Telegraph, the Reds are interested in bringing Rice to Anfield, with West Ham facing the prospect of losing him in a £70m deal.

The 23-year-old will only have 12 months remaining on his contract at the end of the season, and the Telegraph add that he has no intention of signing a new deal.

Rice and Fabinho play in the same position ahead of the backline, and Jones believes the Brazil international would leave Anfield if Liverpool and West Ham came to an agreement.

Speaking to The Redmen TV, Jones said: “I think it you would lose Fabinho if he (Declan Rice) came. He’s going to be anywhere upwards of £70m.”

So far this season, the West Ham No.41 has played every minute in the Premier League for the Hammers, scoring one goal while also providing two assists.

Time for Liverpool to swap Fabinho with Declan Rice

One criticism of Klopp we would have is that the German is arguably too loyal to his players, which ends up seeing him rely on them when they have surpassed their best years, such as Jordan Henderson.

We are now getting to that stage with Fabinho.

In all honestly, the South American has not been at his best this season, and with his thirties approaching next year, it may be time to freshen things up by signing Rice, who is six years younger.

Liverpool must learn from letting their midfield rot, and investing heavily in someone likely to become England captain in future wouldn’t be a bad way to begin the overhaul.