£54m star speaks out for first time since news he's in talks with Liverpool

Liverpool are planning on extending Fabinho's contract, with the Brazilian in talks with the club over an extension on the two years remaining on his terms.

On Friday, Fabrizio Romano reported: “Liverpool are now progressing in negotiations for Fabinho’s new contract, he’s open to stay and extend the agreement."

Transfermarkt value the 27-year-old at £54million but Liverpool fans consider his presence in midfield to be priceless.

After a season that painted a clear picture over who is crucial for Liverpool and who isn't, it's vital that Jurgen Klopp pays equal attention to incomings as well as internal talks over key contract talks with the club's most important players.

There aren't many players at the club that are as important to the Anfield outfit's ambitions as Fabinho, with his presence in midfield so important to the Reds' style of play.

Fabinho has now spoken for the first time since Romano broke the news and it's safe to say he has a lot of appreciation for Liverpool fans and he's definitely ready to continue playing for the club.

After it became blatantly obvious to fans and the club's coaching staff that Fabinho has to play every game in central midfield regardless of the options available at centre-back, he was moved back to the no.6 role in the final 10 games of the season.

The result? In the space of a few weeks, Liverpool went from 7th to 3rd and achieved the all-important Champions League qualification.

In fact, Liverpool won 6 of their final 9 games of the season and the three games they drew arrived when Fabinho was forced into playing centre-back again.

His return to midfield not only allowed Liverpool to win the ball high up the pitch and gave them a boost in their counter-pressing but it also allowed Thiago to move further forward where his incisive passing is more effective.

The end of season run-in showed Klopp that a midfield of Fabinho plus Thiago is as good as it gets and with Jordan Henderson set to be fit for the start of pre-season, Klopp could have his strongest midfield available from next season.

Wijnaldum has been the most reliable player at the club during his time at Liverpool, playing 237 times since joining the club in 2016 but as his reduced game time in the last few games suggests, there will be life after his departure.