Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has moved to ease his current midfield crisis by acquiring the talents of Arthur Melo on a season-long loan from Juventus.
Injuries to Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have left Liverpool’s engine room looking a little thin on the ground as they look to continue their resurgence after a sluggish start to the season.
It completes a comparatively quiet window for the reds, particularly when one considers the amount of cash splashed by their closest rivals this summer. Only full-back Calvin Ramsay, striker Darwin Nunez, who signed from Benfica for £85m, and Fabio Carvalho, who bagged a last-minute winner against Newcastle in midweek, have come through the door.
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Arthur, however, arrives on Merseyside with plenty of pedigree. The 26-year-old has been capped 22 times by Brazil and has played for two of Europe’s top clubs in the form of Barcelona and Juventus.
Here are three ways Liverpool could line up with the Brazilian in their ranks.
4-3-3
In the absence of Thiago, Arthur could take up the mantle of Liverpool’s pass master. Provided he can stay fit, the South American has the technical quality to dominate games and could prove to be the key link between defence and attack in the heart of the reds’ midfield.
4-2-1-3
Being blessed with such an array of attacking prowess, despite the departure of Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich, Klopp may even opt for additional defensive cover with Arthur and compatriot Fabinho operating as two deep-lying midfielders to free up a player like Roberto Firmino or Harvey Elliott to make things happen further up the pitch.
Given their recent history of defensive injuries, this may make for a studier-looking Liverpool line-up, particularly without the ball.
4-3-3 (2)
Returning to Klopp's preferred 4-3-3 formation, and with a fully fit squad at his disposal, Liverpool's starting XI could make for formidable reading.
A front three of Diaz, Nunez and Salah, serviced by a midfield trio of Fabinho, Arthur and Thiago. When firing on all cylinders there won’t be many other sides in the Premier League capable of containing such a talented group of players.
How do you think Liverpool will line up this season? What is Klopp's best XI? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Liverpool, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours, Premier League, Jurgen Klopp
George Nash