The departures of both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were somewhat of a surprise for Liverpool fans in the summer, and even more so when the Reds ended the transfer window having only signed one defensive midfielder in Wataru Endo.
Liverpool’s decision has proved to be a success so far, with Jürgen Klopp’s side just three points off the top of the table and one behind Manchester City ahead of a favorable upcoming schedule. But the rebuild isn’t quite finished yet, with no long-term successor for Fabinho identified, though an option is beginning to emerge after continuing form following an impressive 2022/23 campaign.
And it didn’t look like he was going to be playing in England’s top flight on deadline day before a move to Bayern Munich broke down.
Fulham’s João Palhinha, like Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo, was one of the standout stars in the Premier League last season, ranking high in a number of key defensive metrics — but it is the Portuguese star who has broken clear this season.
Palhinha is averaging more blocks, tackles, and interceptions per game than Caicedo, with numbers that have set him apart in the Premier League. Alexis Mac Allister has been deployed in the number six most often for Liverpool this season, and he has also impressed despite it not being his natural position.
Mac Allister is averaging 7.94 total defensive actions per 90, according to FBref, a metric that adds clearances to the other three categories that Palhinha is beating Caicedo in. The Portuguese compatriot of Diogo Jota leads the way with 10.76 defensive actions per 90, a total better than both Caicedo (5.80 per 90) and Enzo Fernández (5.13 per 90) — just 0.17 marks away from matching both Chelsea stars combined.
That indicates Palhinha’s form shows no sign of slowing down ahead of January when Bayern Munich is expected to resurface for his signature. A deal had previously been agreed with Fulham for $71m (£56m/€65m), and while that would be a slightly bigger outlay than Liverpool is accustomed to for players of his age (28 years old), there would at least be a guarantee of landing a player who could make an instant impact.
Mac Allister, although having impressed in his displays from the deeper role, is naturally more comfortable further forward, and that suggests that Klopp hasn’t seen the best of the Argentina star yet. And while Endo has shown glimpses of being a valuable addition to the squad, it is unlikely that he was brought in as the direct replacement for Fabinho.
There is clearly a good relationship between Liverpool and Bayern given recent deals conducted for Thiago Alcântara and Ryan Gravenberch, and although that could be damaged if the Reds hijacked a transfer they had previously agreed, the value of completing the midfield rebuild is a much greater return. If Palhinha continues his current form that sees him setting the standards in the Premier League, he could be the obvious choice for an ideal Fabinho successor — and a player whom Liverpool should certainly be keeping tabs on in the approach to the January transfer window.
