Noel Whelan

Tue 12 April 2022 17:00, UK

Noel Whelan has insisted Liverpool are primed for the departure of a first-team “superstar” after agreeing to sign Fabio Carvalho from Fulham.

The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Reds are undergoing a “transition” following the arrival of Luis Diaz in January.

A recruitment source told Football Insider (9 April) that Carvalho, 19, will quadruple his wages at Anfield, with the Reds having agreed a transfer deal worth £7.7million with Fulham.

The teenager’s contract at Craven Cottage expires this summer.

Whelan insisted Liverpool are looking at a “turnaround” in the first-team squad, with big-name exits on the cards.

“When you’re out of contract and you’ve got a big club like Liverpool, I think Fulham will take anything at the time,” Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.

“That £7.7million is next to nothing. I think for a club that could have lost somebody on a complete free, you’re taking that money.

“He’s a really young player, really talented. Liverpool, obviously, don’t go out there and buy players without doing their groundwork. They know he’s the sort of player that can fit straight into their system.

“Just like Diaz, there’s no change there. Jurgen Klopp is very vigilant when it comes to players and the style that he likes to play. He brings them in knowing the fact that they can just slip straight into that style.

“They do not have to worry too much the player that they have just bought. Again, you’re seeing a transition in Liverpool. They’re building a team for the future here.

“With the stars that they already have, these superstars can’t go on forever. There’s got to be a turnaround at some point.

“This will give him maybe two seasons to adapt at Liverpool, the style of play and playing alongside certain players.

“There’s no doubt about it, you can see what’s happening at Liverpool at the minute.”

In other news, Liverpool have agreed terms of another new signing after Carvalho.