Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp could potentially receive a cherished piece of positivity on the injury front, following reports that Arthur Melo is well ahead of schedule in his return from the medical department.
What’s the word?
Signing on a one-year loan deal from Juventus at the end of the summer transfer window, with an option to buy of £32m, Arthur picked up a serious muscular problem and was sidelined for an extensive period, making just one substitute appearance for Jurgen Klopp’s squad at present.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news on Twitter, saying: “Positive news for Arthur Melo. Brazilian midfielder will try to be back within the end of the month after first, positive medical check.
“New tests have already been scheduled in the next days/weeks but Arthur is pushing to return earlier than expected.”
Forget Jude
The overarching pessimism surrounding the Reds’ deal to bring Arthur to Anfield has been emanating with force, with the injury certainly not lessening concerns over his reliability in this ambitious Liverpool team.
Arthur has been part of a Juventus side that have slipped from their almighty pedestal and fallen from grace, although he has looked promising when he has played, and he will need to rekindle his fluidity and form swiftly if he wishes to prove his worth to Klopp and stamp his presence into the team.
Last term, Arthur was beset with similar issues, missing 23 matches for the Old Lady and consequently making just 11 league starts all year.
When he did play, he offered shades of impressive passing play that played a defining role in Klopp’s decision to take a gamble and bring him to Anfield.
Liverpool are one of the many suitors for the marvellous Jude Bellingham, with the Borussia Dortmund ace likely to come at an astronomical fee, with figures in the region of £129m touted, and Arthur could prove a very cost-efficient alternative to the 19-year-old phenom.
As per Sofascore, the 26-year-old maintained a 90% passing accuracy and recorded 1.3 tackles per outing for Juventus last season, completing 91% of his dribbles and winning 64% of his duels.
Should he manage to shake off the cobwebs and free his legs from the injury shackles, he can conduct the Liverpool play from the centre, retaining the ball and starting positive plays as he pleases.
As per FBref, the 22-cap gem ranks within the top 5% for pass completion and 9% for attempted passes when compared to midfielders across Europe’s big five leagues this past year, and he can be the difference in so many regards, instilling assurance, dictating the tempo, searching for openings in even the tightest defences when required.
Bellingham might be a prominent name on the lips of many a Liverpool supporter, but Arthur is an avenue for the club that must be explored; the “extraordinary” technician – as dubbed by Max Allegri – can save Klopp’s season, and with Liverpool currently in sixth place in the Premier League, the need for an addition, someone of his ilk, with his prowess and technical ability, sticks out like a sore thumb.