Fabinho has revealed that he did not initially want to leave Liverpool and admitted a conversation with Jurgen Klopp played a role in his eventual departure.
The Brazilian midfielder joined Liverpool from Monaco in 2018 and spent five seasons at Anfield, making 219 appearances and winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
Fabinho said Liverpool had been the ideal place for him to continue developing and that he wanted to build an even greater legacy at the club.
“I didn’t want to leave the club and go to any other club in Europe. I thought it was the best place in the world to play, to keep developing as a player. I wanted my legacy and my history at the club to grow even more, but our last season was very gruelling and tiring.
“We didn’t do well and failed to qualify for the Champions League. I lost my position as a starter for a few games, but that happens.
“I came back for the following season, even though the previous one hadn’t been good, with a very good mentality and wanting to fight for the Premier League title again. But before the season started, Al-Ittihad made an offer for me and the Liverpool directors said it was very good for the club and for me.
“I was afraid and decided to wait to see what [the coaching staff] would say. I thought I was an important player and that they would refuse any offer, but I realised that the club was open to selling me.
“He [Klopp] called me and asked me what I wanted. I said that l’d heard the ofter and liked it, but that I wanted to hear from him what he thought. He said that if there are any players who want to leave, he won’t hold them back.
“It was a speech that kind of opened the door for me to leave. That conversation with the coach could have kept me at the club, but he left it open, and I didn’t like it very much,” Fabinho has said.
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