Fabinho has opened up about the reasons behind his departure and the conversations that paved the way for his move to Saudi Arabia.
While he, like much of the squad, had underperformed during the previous season, the Brazilian midfielder began the summer of 2023 determined to bounce back and play a key role for the Reds in the following campaign.
However, events took a different turn. Fabinho completed a summer transfer to Al-Ittihad, ending a five-year spell at Anfield during which he established himself as one of the world’s finest defensive midfielders.
Speaking in an interview with The Guardian, the now 31-year-old reflected on his transfer and the factors that ultimately led to his exit.
“I didn’t want to leave the club and go to any other club in Europe,” said the midfielder.
“I thought it was the best place in the world to play, to keep developing as a player. I wanted my legacy and my history at the club to grow even more but our last season was very gruelling, tiring.
“We didn’t do well and failed to qualify for the Champions League. I lost my position as a starter for a few games, but that happens.
“I came back for the following season, even though the previous one hadn’t been good, with a very good mentality and wanting to fight for the Premier League title again.
“But before the season started, Al-Ittihad made an offer for me and the Liverpool directors said it was very good for the club and for me.”
He continued: “I was afraid and decided to wait to see what [the coaching staff] would say. I thought I was an important player and that they would refuse any offer, but I realised that the club was open to selling me.”
The Brazil international added: “He (Jurgen Klopp) called me and asked me what I wanted.
“I said that I’d heard the offer and liked it but that I wanted to hear from him what he thought. He said that if there are any players who want to leave, he won’t hold them back.
“It was a speech that kind of opened the door for me to leave. That conversation with the coach could have kept me at the club but he left it open and I didn’t like it very much.
“I always like to do a prayer before I make my decisions. Liverpool is a club I love but the things that happened at the time steered my life towards Arabia. I left in peace and happy with my decision.”
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