Fabio Carvalho, the talented young midfielder from Liverpool, is eager to make a lasting impact on the club’s new manager, Arne Slot. As the team gears up for pre-season, Carvalho has already voiced his opinion on how Liverpool should line up in the future. In an interview with the Rising Ballers YouTube channel, he emphasized the importance of Trent Alexander-Arnold playing in midfield, stating that Alexander-Arnold’s exceptional technique demands it. Carvalho also revealed that he has formed a close bond with Alexander-Arnold and has learned a great deal from him.
However, Carvalho’s desire for Alexander-Arnold to play in midfield will ultimately depend on Slot’s tactical system. Under the previous manager, Jurgen Klopp, Alexander-Arnold was primarily deployed as an inverted right-back, allowing him to fulfill both defensive and attacking duties. Although England manager Gareth Southgate sees Alexander-Arnold as a midfielder, his performances in that position during the Euros did not receive widespread acclaim. It is worth noting that his lackluster performances were partly due to the underwhelming performance of the team as a whole.
Carvalho also expressed his belief that his Liverpool teammate, Jarell Quansah, should have been included in England’s final squad. While acknowledging that Quansah may not have been ready to play at the international level just yet, Carvalho felt that the experience of being part of the squad would have been beneficial for his development.
In addition to discussing football matters, Carvalho shared an interesting anecdote about a running joke within the Liverpool squad. Apparently, some of his teammates have nicknamed him “Bruno Mars” due to their perceived resemblance to the singer. Carvalho even revealed that Bruno Mars himself received one of his signed shirts and returned it with his own signature. As part of his initiation into the squad, Carvalho was asked to sing one of Bruno Mars’ songs, admitting that he was a bit nervous but went first nonetheless.
Looking ahead, the upcoming season could prove pivotal for Carvalho’s career. With Slot now at the helm, he has an opportunity to impress the new coach. However, if he does not find favor with the Dutchman, Carvalho may need to explore other options to secure regular playing time.