BBC Pundit backs £55m Fabinho for giants
Liverpool were encouraged to take their squad to the next level by signing Joao Palhinha from Fulham after the Reds conceded a one-goal defeat to Brighton. On Saturday, Jurgen Klopp watched his side bounce back from another early goal as Simon Adingra scored in comical fashion from outside the box.
But after Mohamed Salah saw Liverpool take the lead midway through the first half, they squandered it with some truly amateur defending late in the second half for a dangerous shot from the edge of the 18-yard box. The 2-2 draw boosted an exciting but disappointing Reds squad.
With Alexis Mac Allister battling against his former team in his new but unfamiliar role in midfield, demands grew for the club to sign a new No.6. Ezoic
Robbie Savage tips Liverpool to sign Joao Palhinha on BBC Sport
It’s no secret that Klopp wants a new No.6 after trying to sign Moises Caicedo in a dramatically failed bid worth around £110m.
Talk of signing Fluminense midfielder Andre in January has increased since the Brazilian side reached the Copa Liberatadores final. BBC pundit and former Liverpool midfielder Robbie Savage believes his old side should sign Palhinha to take the Reds’ midfield to the next level.
He completed an almost £55m move to Bayern Munich in the final days of the summer transfer window before the move collapsed despite completing a medical and taking club photos with the Bavarians. Joao Palhinha Fulham Arsenal Premier League
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live Sport on Sunday, the 48-year-old said: “He is a very good player. He went to Bayern and the transfer fell through. A wonderful player.
“Liverpool have moved well in those areas, there’s more dynamism, Szoboszlai and Mac Allister are good signings, the recruitment has been good and I think it’s really gone. “But I think Palhinha would be great for Liverpool.”
With the 6ft midfielder at the base of midfield, the Reds would have a truly dominant side – especially with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate behind him. The Reds need a replacement for Fabinho and Palhinha is the perfect fit. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will resume their plans to sign Palhinha after Football Insider reported that Klopp’s interest in the Portugal international is “on hold”. The cause of the problem is unknown, but interest in Andre remains high and he is still a very possible option in January as Fluminense’s season ends before Christmas.