Liverpool refuse to copy Spurs as they ‘remove’ player from training camp squad despite his wishes
Jordan Henderson will travel to Germany as part of the Liverpool pre-season training camp squad, but fellow Saudi Arabia target Fabinho has been removed.
Liverpool have had their summer plans completely uprooted by Middle East interest in midfield pair Henderson and Fabinho, who were regular starters last season.
Saudi champions Al-Ittihad have made a £40m bid for the latter, who is thought to have already agreed personal terms on the move.
Henderson has also verbally accepted Al-Ettifaq’s offer of £700,000 a week, but Liverpool are selfishly standing in his way by demanding an actual fee for their captain, who has two years remaining on his Anfield deal.
Despite the similar nature of their situations, Liverpool have decided to take Henderson to their pre-season base in Baden-Wurttemberg, while leaving Fabinho off the list.
But the Reds opted not to follow Spurs in confirming the reason for Fabinho’s absence. The north London club confirmed their Asia-Pacific tour squad earlier in the week but left captain Hugo Lloris out, explaining:
Hugo Lloris has been granted permission not to travel in order to explore prospective transfer opportunities.
Spurs also named Harry Kane, despite a surprise Daniel Levy U-turn making his exit a genuine possibility this summer.
Liverpool have done the same with Henderson, taking him in their 32-man travelling party for an 11-day camp which includes friendlies against Karlsruher and Greuter Furth on July 19 and 24 respectively.
The lack of an actual bid for the 33-year-old has seemingly simplified Liverpool’s decision, as Fabinho’s prospective move is far further along.
‘The decision to remove Fabinho from the camp was taken collectively on Friday night in order to resolve the situation after the offer was tabled,’ writes The Athletic’s James Pearce.
READ MORE: Every European-based player linked with Saudi Arabia transfer this summer
It is added that Fabinho ‘did not refuse to travel’ but the Reds have opted not to take a player who is increasingly likely to leave before the season begins.
Liverpool will move for the Brazilian’s replacement in due course, having identified a few candidates to take up the role.
Melissa Reddy of Sky Sports has named Sofyan Amrabat, Ryan Gravenberch, Kalvin Phillips and Romeo Lavia as targets, while Pearce states that ‘Liverpool had been eyeing a long-term successor to Fabinho’ and will now ‘need someone capable of slotting straight into Jurgen Klopp’s side. As a result the profile of the player they pursue could now change.’
Moises Caicedo has been ruled out as an option due to his price and Chelsea’s long-standing interest.
Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram are still of interest to the Reds after starting the summer on their radar, with the latter apparently destined to ‘go to Liverpool’ in a €50m deal.
