Liverpool secured a late deal for Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo on transfer deadline day and the Brazilian arrives at Anfield with a hugely complimentary reference from Barcelona icon Lionel Messi. Liverpool managed to complete a shock deadline day deal this summer with the capture of Brazilian midfielder Arthur Melo from Juventus. The former Barcelona star arrives at Anfield on a season-long loan with an option to buy at the conclusion of the campaign and will hand the Reds some much-needed midfield depth with Jurgen Klopp ’s side having gone through somewhat of an injury crisis over the last few weeks.
Speaking in 2018, Messi said of Arthur that he didn’t know that much about but he seems similar to Xavi. He’s very safe and trustworthy. He has the La Masia style. Playing short passes, without losing the ball, and he grasped it quickly, the dynamic of the team.
Those comments – particularly on Arthur’s ability to adapt – will only serve to bode well as he attempts to make a quick start to life at Anfield. Considering the club’s injury problems, he could well be expected to play a role sooner rather than later, particularly as Liverpool’s already testing schedule sets to ramp up to even more exhausting heights.
The Reds are of course set to navigate Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup fixtures ahead of the winter break for the World Cup and Arthur could yet play a very prominent role in the side. It might be crucial then that the 26-year-old immediately garners an understanding of Klopp’s demands and indeed adapts to the infamous excursions of the English game.