Liverpool told star who started Forest humbling is ‘not Premier League quality’; needs loan exit

Liverpool have been told that they need to loan out one of their summer signings who started the disastrous 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest and is ‘not Premier League quality’.

Fabio Carvalho was handed a place in the starting XI at the City Ground as a strike from former Reds youngster Taiwo Awoniyi netted the only goal in a famous win for a struggling Forest side.

Carvalho was signed from Fulham in the summer after an outstanding Championship campaign.

The 20-year-old was expected to play a bit-part role in his first season with the Reds. However, injury issues and poor play from a normally strong Liverpool midfield has led to Carvalho being utilised quite a lot.

He has so far scored twice in 13 games across all competitions for Jurgen Klopp’s men.

The Portuguese starlet had his moments at the City Ground, but largely struggled before being replaced just after the hour mark by Jordan Henderson.

And former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor is not convinced Carvalho is ready for the top flight just yet.

He believes Liverpool are better served by letting the player go out on loan instead.

Agbonlahor told talkSPORT: “First of all, Fabio Carvalho doesn’t look like he’s Premier League quality.

“He doesn’t look ready, he needs another season out on loan. He struggled, he’s not influenced the game, he looked non-existent.”

It’s true to say that Carvalho showed flashes at Forest. However, he was not the only Reds star to struggle in that game.

Klopp bemoans poor Liverpool finishing

And speaking afterwards, Klopp blamed a lack of killer instinct from his side.

The German said: “The performance I can kind of explain, the result not to be honest.

“I never saw a game where one team has four or five no-brainers from a set piece where we have to finish it off.”

“Result-wise we should have showed consistency today. We could have had it by finishing situations off.”

The Reds are back in action on Wednesday night when they take on Ajax in the Champions League.

A draw in Amsterdam will ensure Liverpool quality for the knockout stages of the competition.

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