EXCL: Fabinho exit a huge loss that wasn't planned, why Liverpool were NOT in for Declan Rice, plus a look at LFC's rivals' transfer windows so far

The latest deep dive into Liverpool's transfer market moves.

Fabinho blow gives Liverpool huge questions to answer

The news of Fabinho closing in on a move to Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad is a huge blow - it’s not done yet, but things have moved fast in thee last few days and I think he’s not someone Liverpool were expecting to lose. He’s been more or less central to Jurgen Klopp’s side in recent years and is going to be someone hard to replace.

In twelve months’ time, it might have been a different conversation, but this wasn’t a departure they were planning for this summer, so it leaves a lot of questions ahead of the start of the season. He’s been left out of the club’s pre-season tour to Germany so that tells you all you need to know really - it’s a matter of when rather than if now that he moves to Al Ittihad.

The question now for Liverpool is what strategy they take to rebuilding their midfield - do they want a player like Fabinho? Or do they maybe want a more technical, progressive passing sort of player? And do they want a younger player like Romeo Lavia, who we know has been a target, or do they go for someone more experienced now that such a proven figure is leaving? Do they maybe move Trent Alexander-Arnold into midfield and look to strengthen with a new right-back?