100% Physically Fit as Liverpool‘s new £40 million signing passes medicals
He’s no Jude Bellingham, but Liverpool has bolstered their midfield with the loan acquisition of Arthur Melo on deadline day.
The Juventus man will provide Jurgen Klopp with an option in an engine room low on numbers with the Reds’ midfield, as Jordan Henderson, Thiago, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all on the physio’s table, not even a month into the new season.
However, some Liverpool supporters will naturally wonder whether the new recruit is the best solution to an injury crisis when the Brazilian possesses a less than exemplary fitness record himself.
However, notable Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, who watched the 26-year-old a fair amount when he played for Barcelona, is adamant that Arthur is fit and ready for a new challenge.
“At Juventus, it didn’t really work,” Balague said of the midfielder’s disappointing spell with the Italian giants.
“The system of [Max] Allegri and style of Allegri didn’t suit him, but he feels, now that he’s 100% physically well, that he could adapt to the Premier League quickly and that’s something we’ll have to see because the pace of the Premier League is completely different to Serie A.
“He also reckons Klopp will understand his game much better than Allegri, so the player is really looking forward to coming to Liverpool.”
After halting their slide down the league table to begin the season, the Reds will be hoping that Arthur can inject some quality and creativity into a midfield that has been lacking in ideas, save for the likes of Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho.
“A fantastic addition,” Balague added. “It was unoriginal thinking on Liverpool’s part to sign him, but he’s a nice addition to their midfield,” Balague remarked.
“My main fear is how long it will take him to adjust to the Premier League’s pace.”
