Liverpool’s Fabio Carvalho has decided to “make a statement” on the pre-season tour

Fabio Carvalho is determined to use Liverpool’s tour of America to inject his strength into Arne Slot’s plans for next season.

The 21-year-old striker returned to the club this summer after mixed fortunes on loan in 2023-24.

After struggling for game time at RB Leipzig in Germany, he regained his confidence at Hull City in the second half of the campaign when he made 20 league appearances.

Carvalho’s future remains unclear but he is enjoying the start of a new era at Liverpool under Slot.

“I’ve had a few conversations with the manager that I’m not going to go into, but he wants me to put my head down and work hard and see where it goes,” he said.

“It’s about making a statement. There are good chances for all the young players in this trip. It’s a chance for everyone to make their mark.

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“The time I spent at Hull was crucial. I needed game time and was happy when I was playing regularly. Every footballer wants to play week in week out. I feel like I got the best out of me when I was out there playing.”

Carvalho found himself operating on the left in Friday’s 1-0 win over Real Betis in Pittsburgh, but admits he prefers to operate more centrally.

“We talked about it and he (Slot) told me to try to settle on the wing, but obviously I know where I play best and I feel like it’s at number 10. I think I play better there,” he added .

“I’ll just do what he wants me to do and work as hard as I can for him. He gives me good instructions and motivates me a lot in training and gives me this confidence.

“It was good to play against Betis and get a few touches, good to be again. I feel the manager’s style suits all of us. I feel he plays positive football, he likes to create chances and that’s what we did.”

(Photo: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)