Fabrizio Romano announces Liverpool's first January move

Tom Weber

• Updated: 13 Dec 2023 13:24 GMT
• 3 min read

Liverpool are planning to recall Fabio Carvalho from his unsuccessful loan in January, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The youngster's time to make it big with the Reds appears to be running out. Despite a very promising start to life at Anfield following his move from Fulham, Carvalho eventually saw his game time diminish drastically last season.

In the summer, there was even talk that the 21-year-old could be on his way out of Liverpool permanently, but the Reds, realising that the midfielder does have significant potential, instead sent him out on loan to RB Leipzig, who are usually not afraid to trust young players.

However, instead of establishing himself as a regular top-level player, Carvalho has had a real nightmare few months with the Red Bulls. The Portuguese has barely featured, only making 12 appearances and playing a measly 257 minutes. This hasn't gone unnoticed back on Merseyside and the Reds will try to recall him in January.

Unsuccessful loans

That's at least according to Fabrizio Romano, who has reported on his X account that talks between Liverpool and Leipzig over the termination of the deal have commenced. However, Carvalho isn't the only Liverpool player who may return in January.

One - or both - of defenders Nathanial Phillips and Rhys Williams could also be recalled from their loans in Scotland, according to The Mirror. Jurgen Klopp is looking for defensive cover after Joel Matip's ACL injury and both defenders have struggled for minutes.

Phillips has only made eight appearances for Champions League side Celtic, while Williams has thus far featured in 90 minutes, playing just a single game, for Aberdeen.

Klopp is looking for in-house solutions to the defensive problem after recently announcing that Liverpool will not dip in the market to sign a big-name replacement for Matip despite links to the likes of Gonacalo Inacio and Nico Schlotterbeck and being urged to snap up Jarrad Branthwaite from city rivals Everton.