Liverpool must use Klopp transfer trick to capture the ‘new Elliott’

Liverpool could lure one of Fulham’s brightest young academy stars to Anfield this month – just three years after they persuaded Harvey Elliott to trade Craven Cottage for Anfield

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There are less than two weeks remaining before the transfer window slams shut again – and it’s looking more and more likely that Liverpool will finish January with an almost identical squad to the one they had at the start of 2022.

Although Jurgen Klopp isn’t expected to change his transfer stance, the Reds could still be tempted to do business if an exceptional opportunity presents itself – such as the chance to snap up a top young talent.

According to a recent report from The Athletic, Liverpool are one of the teams keeping an eye on Fulham hotshot Fabio Carvalho.

A clutch of Premier League clubs, as well as European giants Real Madrid, are reportedly monitoring the youngster after his stunning breakthrough campaign at Craven Cottage.

For Carvalho to stand out as one of the crown jewels of a free-scoring Fulham side that have absolutely blitzed their way through the Championship is no mean feat.

Join the debate! Do you think Liverpool should snap up Carvalho from Fulham this month? Let us know here.

The 19-year-old has notched an impressive seven goals and two assists in just 16 league games for Marco Silva’s side this term to become a bonafide first-team star under the ex-Watford boss.

But unfortunately for Fulham, they could be set to lose their new starlet just months after unleashing him to drive their promotion push.

Carvalho has less than six months remaining on his current deal at Craven Cottage – and has so far rebuffed Fulham’s attempts to tie him down with fresh terms.

That means the England youth international could be available for a cut-price fee this month.

Given Carvalho’s age, profile and capability of filling a variety of attacking roles, it’s no surprise that Liverpool are taking a keen interest in developments surrounding the Whites’ whizzkid.

If Klopp and Liverpool do decide to swoop for Carvalho, it wouldn’t be the first time in recent years that they’ve raided the riverside club for a top teenage talent.

The Reds snapped up Harvey Elliott for back in 2019 shortly after Fulham had handed the youngster a Premier League debut just weeks after his 16th birthday.

Fast forward three years, and a move that seemed smart at the time only looks shrewder now. Elliott has evolved into one of Liverpool’s brightest young stars, and only a serious ankle injury earlier this season has prevented the Chertsey-born ace from nailing down a permanent first-team berth under Klopp.

If Klopp is looking for any encouragement to pursue a deal for Carvalho, then he need look no further than Elliott.

Carvalho already has bags more experience than Elliott did when he was lured to Anfield. Given how he’s held his own in the Championship’s top team this year, there is no reason to suggest Carvalho wouldn’t be able to adapt to star in his own right, in time, for a top Liverpool team.

Given the form that the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Ollie Watkins have shown after making the step up to the Premier League from the second tier in recent years, snapping up the best young talent from the Championship is no longer the high-stakes gamble that it was once perceived to be for England’s elite clubs.

With Carvalho likely to be available for a knockdown fee if Fulham do choose to cash in on him this month, a move for the dazzling attacker seems like a no-brainer in the current climate.

The Reds are usually one step ahead of their rivals when it comes to hoovering up top young talent, and they can steal a march once again by snapping up one of English football’s brightest young stars.

After Fulham received just £1.7 million initially for Elliott, it’s likely they’ll give at least some consideration to cashing in on Carvalho this month if he continues to snub a new deal rather than risk being short-changed again by a tribunal.

And that could open the door for Liverpool to persuade one of the Championships’ most exciting talents to follow in Elliott’s footsteps by trading west London for Merseyside.