The 24-year-old Portuguese forward has spoken about one of the most difficult periods of his career, explaining how a lack of playing opportunities at Anfield contributed to an unhealthy lifestyle away from football.
Carvalho had arrived at Liverpool with considerable expectations after emerging at Fulham, but struggled to establish himself in the first team. As his opportunities became limited, he began spending more time going out and drinking, with the consequences taking an emotional toll.
"I started going out. I started drinking, I was doing crazy things off the pitch. I would come home from nightclubs and start crying uncontrollably. I just felt empty," he told The Sun.
Although he had attended church as a child, it was during the latter part of his Liverpool spell that he began to reconnect with his faith. Reading the Bible helped him recognise that the problems he was experiencing could not be solved simply by changing his circumstances.
"Then I picked up the Bible. It doesn't mean I changed instantly, but I knew there was an emptiness in my heart that only Jesus could fill."
Carvalho's spiritual journey has since become an important part of his life. He shared a video of his baptism in January 2025 and has found a supportive environment at Brentford, where fellow players Igor Thiago and Josh Dasilva also share his Christian beliefs.
The Portuguese international believes having team-mates with whom he can discuss faith and personal difficulties has made a meaningful difference.
"It's good to have this communion and to share each other's burdens. It makes life easier," he said.
The relationships have helped create a sense of togetherness away from the pressures of professional football. Rather than dealing with difficult moments alone, the players can turn to one another for encouragement and support.
Carvalho joined Brentford in August 2024 after spells away from Liverpool, including loan moves to RB Leipzig and Hull City. His progress was subsequently interrupted by a serious knee injury in November 2025, when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture.
The injury kept him out for almost a year before his return to competition, adding another challenge to a career that has already included significant highs and setbacks.
His experience has changed the way he approaches football and life outside it. At Liverpool, the lack of minutes had become a source of frustration and contributed to a period in which he struggled to find happiness. At Brentford, he has found a group of players who share his beliefs and provide support through difficult times.
Carvalho's account is a reminder that the pressures facing young footballers are not confined to performances on the pitch. For him, rediscovering faith helped provide a sense of direction when his career was at a particularly difficult crossroads.