Fabio Carvalho “Trying to Make the Most Out Of” Liverpool Opportunity

Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Carvalho had his strongest outing as a Liverpool player against Arsenal on Wednesday and is looking to show Arne Slot he has what it takes.

For Liverpool fans, following two pre-season games under new manager Arne Slot, team shape and tactics are starting to resolve themselves.

There is a double-pivot formation, one that can shift between 4-3-3 and 4-2-4 with, rather novelly, two withdrawn central attackers—even when one actually is a striker, as with Diogo Jota on Wednesday night.

There are fullbacks that seek out underlapping runs, and a desire to hold the ball in the defensive third—actively looking to trigger the opposition press before trying to bypass it vertically in central areas.

Along with the systems, the shape and tactics, there are the players, some taking on new roles. And some, like Fabio Carvalho, looking to make a breakthrough.

“It has been tough, but obviously we’re putting into practice into the games what we’ve learned from the manager and what we already knew we could do,” he said after a strong performance on Wednesday.

“It’s just good to get some minutes. And for young players like myself, and some of the even younger lads, it’s amazing and what you want to be part of.”

A well taken goal and effective play throughout on Wednesday made for perhaps the best performance in red for the 21-year-old, and for a player who struggled for a place under Jürgen Klopp there is now hope.

Now, having shown he can execute in Slot’s developing system, the goal is to take the remaining pre-season games to show he can do so consistently and force his way into the picture for the 2024-25 season.

“Not just for me but everyone, there’s a new gaffer, everyone has a chance,” he added. “As long as we keep working hard, that’s the main thing—and that’s what I’m trying to make the most out of.”