Jurgen Klopp has been told that Arthur Melo can finally be called upon by Liverpool after a slow start to his Anfield career.
The midfielder signed for the Reds on deadline day on a season-long loan from Juventus, with the Merseyside outfit having been struck down with an injury crisis in the centre of the park.
Instead of alleviating those concerns, he added to Klopp’s significant headache. The 26-year-old arrived on Merseyside having missed large swathes of pre-season and has only played 13 minutes for the Liverpool senior side - those coming in the 4-1 thumping at the hands of Italian giants Napoli in the Champions League.
However, in an encouraging update, Arthur’s agent has claimed that the midfielder is fully ready to be incorporated into Klopp’s plans at Anfield.
Speaking to CalcioMercato, Federico Pastorello said: “Arthur played very little last year, then had an operation, planned, in June, thus missing part of the pre-season.
“He wasn’t in [Juventus manager Massimiliano] Allegri’s plans, so he didn’t train with the rest of the team, so it’s normal that arriving at the last day in this condition, from his point of view he needed extra work.”
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Pastorello then explained that the 26-year-old was initially not up to the pace of the English game but has managed to overcome his teething problems.
“Moreover, the difference between England and Italy in this aspect is huge, so there was this need to make up for the physical gap with his teammates,” Pastorello continued. “Now, he has recovered and is at the coach’s disposal. I have no doubt that he will do very well in a Liverpool shirt.”
There were previous suggestions that Liverpool were considering sending Arthur back to Juventus after his stuttering start to life with the Reds. He originally penned a season-long loan deal on Merseyside, with the club retaining the option on making the deal a permanent one.
Even at this early stage, that appears very unlikely, with Liverpool instead seemingly putting together a plan to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham next summer. Klopp has already given his say on a potential move for the England midfielder and admitted that a swoop for the 19-year-old would be tricky despite the fact he is a huge admirer.
Speaking during the summer transfer window, he said: “He’s not on the market, so that’s the first problem with that player. Well, that’s the only problem with that player!”
Bellingham is under contract with Dortmund until the summer of 2025, whilst the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City have all been linked with a move for his services.
