In Focus: Fabio can Carv a path to Reds' first team in Leipzig

Fabio Carvalho is bidding to boost his stock in the Bundesliga after joining RB Leipzig on loan. 

The 20-year-old moved to Liverpool in the summer of 2022 having impressed in the Championship with Fulham but has failed to establish himself in the Reds' starting line-up. 

As a result of his lack of game time, Jurgen Klopp has sanctioned a temporary switch away for the youngster. 

We take a look at what Carvalho will bring to the Red Bull Arena and how he can kick on in Germany.

Meagre minutes

After playing just 341 minutes of Premier League football in 2022-23, it is no wonder that all parties agreed a move away would be best for Carvalho's development. 

The Portuguese featured in 10 of the Merseysiders' first 11 games — primarily as a substitute — but then completely fell out of favour. 

In fact, he made just three more appearances totalling just 11 minutes in the final 27 matches of the competition.

Fab attitude

Carvalho behaved with model professionalism despite his lack of playing time — a fact Liverpool boss Klopp was keen to share ahead of their 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest in April. 

He said: "Fabio, for the situation in which he is now, is training on an absolute super level and not being involved, how he deals with it, I have to say, that's kind of a role model. 

"Not that he is happy with the situation but he never gives up. It's unbelievable."

Flashes of quality

Carvalho's limited minutes made it difficult for the young midfielder to make a sizable impact — but he was able to show flashes of his undoubted quality. 

He made himself a nuisance from set-pieces, one of which resulted in the second of his two goals — a dramatic 98th-minute winner against Newcastle. 

The Portugal Under-21s international also demonstrated a penchant for lay-offs, completing all eight such passes as he looked to combine with team-mates in and around the box.

Huge talent

Leipzig board member Max Eberl was effusive in his praise of the club's latest capture and summed up the midfielder's attributes. 

He said: "Fabio Carvalho is a huge talent — the fact that Liverpool signed him recently just proves that. 

"He is quick, agile, full of tricks and creative. He likes to get shots away and can also set his team-mates up."

Running riot against Rangers

Carvalho only completed 90 minutes once in his first season at Liverpool — in the 7-1 thrashing of Rangers at Ibrox in October — and his performance in that game highlighted both his qualities and his rawness. 

He started on the left of midfield in a 4-4-2 and was caught on the ball in the build-up to Rangers' opening goal. However, he did not let that disappointment affect him for long. 

Carvalho fed Roberto Firmino to set up Darwin Nunez for the third and completed the most final third passes of any player on the pitch (14) despite only attempting the fourth-most (16). 

His new employers will hope to nurture that attacking prowess and reap the rewards in 2023-24.