Liverpool makes Fabio Carvalho transfer decision after impressing Arne Slot in pre-season

Liverpool has made a transfer decision on Fabio Carvalho following the youngster's return to pre-season training.

The 21-year-old arrived at Anfield as one of the most highly-rated starlets in England following his £5million transfer from Fulham in the summer of 2022, grabbing two goals in his first five Premier League appearances in back-to-back home victories over Bournemouth and Newcastle United for the Reds.

After spending the rest of the 2022-23 campaign as a bit-part player under Jurgen Klopp , the Portugal Under-21 international was sent out on a season-long loan to Bundesliga club RB Leipzig last summer in order to aid his development with more regular first-team minutes.

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However, things didn't go to plan and Carvalho's loan was ended early after just half a season. In January, he was shipped out on loan to Hull City for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign, where he heavily impressed with nine goals and two assists in 20 appearances for the Championship side.

Since returning to Anfield at the start of pre-season, Carvalho has been able to impress new manager Arne Slot in the absence of the majority of Liverpool's main stars, with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister , Luis Diaz , Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo yet to return from their respective Copa America and Euro 2024 duties.

In fact, the youngster started both of Liverpool's pre-season friendly wins over Real Betis and Arsenal in the United States, grabbing a goal against the latter in a 2-1 victory . While there is quality in abundance, the likelihood is that he will be demoted to a place on the bench once the likes of Diaz and Gakpo return.

However, Liverpool is not interested in sending Carvalho out on another loan this season. Instead, it is more inclined to let the Portuguese leave on a permanent transfer - and for a considerable fee, according to the Telegraph .

While Carvalho will know his first team opportunities will be limited once Slot has a full contingent at his disposable, the final decision ultimately lies with him. If he is happy being a back-up and most likely limited to minutes off the bench and in cup competitions, he will stay.

Should he wish for more first-team opportunities, then he will be allowed to leave, but only if the right offer comes in. However, any likely departure depends on whether Liverpool signs anyone else, meaning any potential departure unlikely to come until later in the transfer window.