After Leaving Liverpool, Fabio Carvalho Takes a Subtle Swipe at Arne Slot

Carvalho, 21, has joined Brentford on a five-year contract after a transfer deal worth £27.5 million ($35.1 million) was agreed upon between the clubs. Liverpool will receive £22.5 million ($28.7 million) initially, with the potential for additional payments through add-ons, and they’ve included a 17.5 percent sell-on clause in the agreement.

This transfer concludes Carvalho’s challenging two-year tenure at Liverpool. After leading Fulham to a Championship title in the 2021/22 season, Carvalho signed with Liverpool but struggled to replicate his form at Anfield, managing only two Premier League goals in his debut season under Jurgen Klopp.

Carvalho spent the 2023/24 season on loan at RB Leipzig but returned to Liverpool in January after a goalless stint in the Bundesliga. He then found his form again at Hull, scoring nine goals in the Championship.

His impressive performance at Hull likely attracted Brentford’s interest, culminating in the finalized transfer. In his first interview as a Brentford player, Carvalho hinted at dissatisfaction with his time at Liverpool, emphasizing his desire to play in the best league and feel appreciated.

Carvalho’s remarks and the transfer indicate he wasn’t in the plans of Liverpool’s new head coach, Arne Slot, despite showing potential in preseason matches against Arsenal and Manchester United.

Now, Carvalho has the opportunity to prove Liverpool wrong for letting him go. Brentford head coach Thomas Frank praised Carvalho’s skills and mentality, noting that he will bring a unique quality to the squad and help push the team forward.