One of Jurgen Klopp’s worst Liverpool singings could make a return to the Premier League.
The 2022/23 campaign saw Arthur Melo endure an atrocious loan spell on Merseyside. The Brazilian played just 13 minutes of football for Liverpool against Napoli in September, before being ruled out for the campaign by a spate of injuries.
Speaking to the Mail, he said: “I played 13 minutes as a substitute against Napoli in the Champions League before I was injured in training. It was a Monday; things were going okay and I was building for minutes and game time in the Premier League. I made a five-metre pass in training then felt a little discomfort. I thought it was nothing at first.
“The coach asked and I said I don't think it's anything important but he said I should go for a scan after the session. I went and it turned out to be a severe injury. It had just been a regular action, so it was so difficult to understand. I'd never had a muscular injury before, it was the first time so not a familiar feeling.”
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His recovery was far from seamless, with surgery meaning he would be out for four months.
“Klopp was really good”, Arthur added. “What it highlighted about him was that you could tell he had been a player and understood.
“He knew my disappointment; he stayed close to me and was always asking how I was during my recovery. He stayed calm, he knew it would take time but he would say 'no rush' and gave me a feeling of trust.
“He knew that I was upset and sad but he understood and he just kept the pressure off.”
Arthur, who has made 47 appearances this season for UEFA Conference League finalists Fiorentina, has been linked with a return to England, with Everton said by the Mail to be among his suitors.
He said: “I'm still in touch with all of [my Liverpool teammates]. Alisson particularly jokes about getting me back to England.
“Every experience I have had since I was a boy at Gremio I have learned from. I had a lot of pressure at a big club like Barcelona.
“Then at Juventus, I had a different league, different style, more about tactics and new concepts. In England it was about intensity - to be better than anywhere else - I improved there as well despite not getting the games. Now Fiorentina is more tactical. Every experience has made me more mature, more complete. I place a lot of value on what I have learned.
“I have had some low points in recent seasons, taken a few knocks, that's true but I never doubted myself. I knew I would have the chance to show my game is still very strong. To finish the season with a trophy would be massive.”
Topics: Liverpool, Premier League, Everton, Jurgen Klopp, Transfer News
Chris Byfield