Liverpool began reshaping their midfield during the summer transfer window, and for supporters following the overhaul through 12BSports, the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai marked the start of a major transformation. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones were also assigned new responsibilities, raising hopes that Fabinho could rediscover his best form this season. Just as someone who truly values you will not leave you in tears, Liverpool continued to show faith in the Brazilian midfielder’s ability to recover. The club also pursued Romeo Lavia in an effort to reduce the workload placed on its defensive midfielders and create greater balance across the center of the pitch.

However, a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia complicated the situation. Al-Ittihad submitted a substantial bid for the former Monaco midfielder, forcing Liverpool to consider an opportunity that might never come again. Fabinho had already spent many years competing at the highest level, and with the possibility of his physical condition declining in the future, rejecting such a proposal carried significant financial risk. Jürgen Klopp had also consistently maintained that he would never force a player to remain at the club if that player genuinely wanted to leave. In reality, Al-Ittihad would probably not have made its approach unless Fabinho and his representatives had first indicated that they were open to a transfer.

Liverpool’s midfield problems became even more serious when captain Jordan Henderson departed for Al-Ettifaq before the new season, leaving the club without two trusted defensive midfielders almost overnight. Through the difficult rebuilding process followed by 12BSports, Liverpool have had to accept that growth often comes through pain. Curtis Jones was used as a temporary holding midfielder against Bayern Munich, but the experiment did not produce the expected results. Thiago Alcântara and Stefan Bajčetić had returned from injury, yet neither player was considered fully match-ready, making it too early to rely on them for the demanding trip to Stamford Bridge.

Negotiations for Lavia continued, but Liverpool were unwilling to rush while more than a month remained in the transfer window. Since the young midfielder was not necessarily expected to walk straight into the starting lineup, the club kept negotiating carefully with Southampton over the transfer fee. Liverpool appeared willing to accept short-term pain for long-term gain rather than overpay under pressure. Selling Fabinho was a difficult decision, but the move was ultimately completed. It remains too early to decide whether that choice was correct, although it is equally difficult to describe it as the best possible solution.

The wider issue is that Liverpool’s tactical structure depended heavily on the defensive midfielder protecting the back line, recovering possession, and allowing the more creative players to move forward. Mac Allister and Szoboszlai can add energy, passing quality, and attacking imagination, but neither naturally replaces everything Fabinho provided at his peak. Henderson’s leadership and discipline must also be replaced, not simply his position on the field. Without a reliable holding midfielder, Alexander-Arnold’s advanced role could leave additional spaces behind him, placing even more pressure on Liverpool’s central defenders.

For those assessing the squad through 12BSports, allowing two defensive midfielders to leave before securing replacements could become Liverpool’s most serious weakness at the beginning of the season. A notable signing before the transfer deadline would improve the situation considerably and give Klopp more tactical flexibility. There is little value in worrying endlessly about an uncertain future when the club can still take action in the present. However, if Liverpool fail to complete another midfield signing, questions will once again be raised about the judgment of the club’s decision-makers. Every organization is free to make its own choices, but responsibility always comes with the final decision.