Fabio Carvalho: Liverpool's next Coutinho?

If reports are to be believed, Liverpool have won the race to sign Fulham wonderkid Fabio Carvalho. We've taken a look into his stats so far this season.

The 19-year-old is out of contract in the summer and was going to be one of the hottest properties in world football - having previously been linked with the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid in the past - but the Reds moved early to beat their rivals to his signature.

It’s understandable too - he’s coming off the back of being a key component to the success of the Cottagers this season as they cruise back to the Premier League, but what will he bring to Anfield?

Judging by his numbers, Jurgen Klopp’s got one hell of a talent on his hands.

Chance creating machine

The teenager’s managed to rack up 7 assists in 27 Championship starts - which means he’s just about setting up a goal every 4 starts.

Impressive in itself, but his underlying data shows he’s doing it consistently.

He’s averaging 1.82 chances created per 90 minutes - the highest in the league by far - with his teammate Harry Wilson the closest on 1.59.

Carvalho isn’t keen on playing it simple either, for every 100 passes he plays, 6 of them are a chance created - also the highest ratio in the division.

The numbers show just how electric and exciting he is with the ball at his feet, he loves to make things happen and he’s someone that Liverpool’s forwards will thrive off.

Dangerous goal threat

Sometimes he’s keen to be on the receiving end of chances too!

He’s got 7 goals this season which matches his XG of 7.56, showing he’s a good finisher - not clinical, but not wasteful either.

This is an area that could be improved on - but an average of 2 shots per game indicates despite being just 19, he’s not afraid to have a crack at goal.

It’ll be interesting to see where Klopp thinks is Carvalho’s best position, because these numbers indicate he could have a future as a long-term replacement for Roberto Firmino, where chance creation is the priority but still needs to be able to put the ball in the back of the net.

The next Phillipe Coutinho?

Liverpool haven’t exactly been crying out for a Coutinho replacement since the Brazilian departed for Barcelona, but it would give them an extra string to their bow if they had someone like him - Carvalho is in many ways, a very similar player.

Out of all the midfielders in the Championship, he tops the charts for non penalty XG and XA per 90 minutes, which is no small part down to his never-ending creativity.

Easy to forget amongst all this, he’s only 19, and has already been one of the standout players in an extremely talented division.

His potential is endless and it’s brilliant that he’s going to Liverpool where he has a coach who has a brilliant track record of developing youngsters and - most importantly - given them game time.

While the move hasn’t been confirmed yet, all the reports claiming the move is done also say Klopp has no plans to loan out Carvalho, so it seems a safe bet that we’ll be seeing him in a Red shirt next season.

How he’s utilised will be interesting, it will most likely be in Liverpool’s midfield trio but he’s capable of playing further forward as a number 10, or potentially as a false 9 or even on the wing - the youngsters' output means he’s capable of being a versatile weapon.

Carvalho will be one to keep an eye out for next season as he continues his rapid development but now under one of the best coaches in the world.