Fabinho’s transfer to Al Ittihad has hit a stumbling block that could force the Liverpool midfielder into a U-turn.
The Saudi Pro League club had hoped the transfer of the Brazil international would prove a formality after they tabled a £40million offer.
Fabinho was subsequently left out of Liverpool’s squad with having given his blessing for the 29-year-old to depart.
According to the , however, the proposed transfer has hit a snag which could force the Brazil international to resume training with his teammates on Wednesday.
Reports earlier this week claimed the deal had been held up due to an issue relating to the breed of dog, banned in Saudi Arabia, Fabinho owns.
That speculation, however, is understood to be wide of the mark with both Liverpool and Al Ittihad committed to ensuring the deal goes through.
The Reds are also braced to lose captain Jordan Henderson to Al Ettifaq having already sanctioned the departures of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner at the end last season.
When asked about Henderson’s absence from last week’s friendly against Karlsruhe, Klopp said: ‘There’s actually nothing to say.
‘As long as things are not really finally decided, we don’t have to talk about it. There will be a moment where we probably have to talk about it, but it’s not now.
‘I don’t know that anything is decided, which means nothing to say in the moment. But that’s even better for you because you can speculate, which is much more fun! If I say something then it’s finished!
‘In the end, all of these decisions are made by me.
‘And because I respect the players a lot, it’s usually [with the player’s] consent. It was in this case, and it is all fine.’
Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister joined earlier this summer from Red Bull Leipzig and Brighton, respectively, but Liverpool remain short of numbers in midfield.
The Reds opted not enter the running to sign Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, while they cooled interest in Mason Mount once it became apparent he preferred a move to Manchester United.
Liverpool have expressed an interest in Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, but the Championship club are insisting on an asking price of £50million for the form Manchester City youngster.
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