Jurgen Klopp has sprung a deadline day surprise with Liverpool on the verge of sealing a season-long loan switch for Juventus midfielder Arthur.
The Brazilian international came very close to making the move to the Premier League in January amid serious interest from Arsenal. Instead, he looks set to don the red of Liverpool nine months later as Klopp tries to get to grips with yet another injury crisis threatening to curtail their season before it has truly even taken shape.
Club captain Jordan Henderson sustained a hamstring injury during Thursday night's 2-1 home win over Newcastle, while the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Thiago all remain sidelined with their own respective knocks. Curtis Jones has only just returned from his spell on the treatment table, but the injury for Henderson appears to have been the final straw.
Speaking after the game on Wednesday night, Klopp conceded he didn't actually have much hope of landing another midfielder before the deadline's close at 11pm on Thursday. "I don’t think so," the Reds boss admitted when discussing a move for a midfielder.
"But as long as there’s time we should not close the door completely. Obviously, Hendo’s hamstring [injury] is not helpful." However, things have changed drastically in the hours since and Arthur has already touched down in England for his Liverpool medical after flying from Turin early Thursday morning.
Reds fans will be delighted to hear that the 26-year-old has already made his feelings for them crystal clear. Arthur was part of the Barcelona side that were famously beaten 4-0 at Anfield and dumped out of the Champions League in 2019 despite their three-goal advantage from the first leg.
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"For me, Liverpool is one of the best clubs in the world. They have very high-quality players, especially in the front-line and I expect two very great matches,'' he told reporters before Barcelona's 3-0 first leg victory at the Camp Nou.
"We and Liverpool both will go out for the win. For sure, it will be a great battle." Arthur was incredibly accurate in his prediction, as the contest went down as one of the greatest two-legged battles in European football history.
Of course, Liverpool ran out winners of not only that contest but the entire Champions League that season, eventually beating Tottenham 2-0 in the final.
It is obvious from the glowing review Arthur gave of Liverpool three years ago that he views the club as one of the best around and would therefore always be keen on the idea of plying his trade at Anfield.
