EXCLUSIVE: Fabio Carvalho bites back at sporting director and lifts lid on life away from Liverpool

“I want to get 10 goals. I think that’s doable. After Friday, I’ll be halfway there!”

Fabio Carvalho is relaxed and in good spirits as he sits down exclusively with the ECHO at Hull City’s training ground in Cottingham. Meeting in the Tigers’ press conference room, the Championship club’s modest base is in complete contrast to what he would have grown accustomed to at Liverpool.

But after 18 months of very little game time, both with the Reds last season and then on loan at RB Leipzig, this latest switch has proven to be exactly what the Portuguese needed. He is back playing with a smile on his face.

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When sitting down with the ECHO, Carvalho had scored four times in 11 appearances for Hull. Fast forward a few weeks and his record now stands at nine goals (and two assists) from 19 games, with the 21-year-old on the verge of fulfilling his individual target.

The desired fifth strike ultimately remained elusive on Good Friday when Hull lost 2-0 at home to Stoke City. But he did not have to wait long, netting against bitter-rivals Leeds United in a Yorkshire derby defeat on Easter Monday.

Now heading into the final day of the regular Championship season, that remains the last time the Tigers suffered defeat. Travelling to relegation-threatened Plymouth Argyle, Hull are two points off the play-off places with Carvalho’s goals ultimately helping to keep them in the promotion hunt.

Should West Bromwich Albion slip up at home to Preston North End, the Tigers are poised to pounce. For the Liverpool loanee, that desired