Liverpool have been rocked by a massive injury blow on the eve of their key Premier League showdown against Arsenal, with reports claiming that Arthur Melo will miss the rest of 2022. (Read More Here).
Jurgen Klopp confirmed in Friday’s pre-match press conference that the Brazilian midfielder, a deadline day loan signing from Juventus, was a new face in a busy treatment room at Anfield after suffering a muscular injury in training that kept him sidelined for the 2-0 home Champions League win over Rangers on Tuesday evening.
Arthur was also ruled out of Sunday’s trip to Emirates Stadium and the manager said further assessment was required before determining exactly how much time he would miss.
It appears that Liverpool are now facing a worst-case scenario over the 26-year-old, whom The Athletic report needs surgery and will likely miss between three to four months while he recovers, ruling him out of action for the remainder of the calendar year.
The former Barcelona playmaker had made just one senior cameo to date for Liverpool and none in the Premier League, being introduced as a late substitute in the 4-1 Champions League drubbing by Napoli in Italy last month.
Arthur later turned out for Barry Lewtas’s Under-21 side in the EFL Trophy in a bid to boost his match fitness, playing 63 minutes of a 1-0 defeat by League Two strugglers Rochdale at Spotland before being replaced by Jay Spearing.
Liverpool have endured torrid injury luck during their worst start to a season under Klopp’s tenure that sees them sit 10th and a full 13 points off the title pace ahead of a clash with high-flying Arsenal, with several key players missing time already this term.
The Brazilian midfielder joined Liverpool on loan from Juventus in the summer, but is yet to make any kind of meaningful impact, making just one appearance for the Reds so far this season.
It now looks like it’s going to be a while before we see Arthur in action for Jurgen Klopp’s side again, with the 26-year-old looking likely to miss the next few months after The Athletic reported that he needed surgery.
Many Liverpool fans will now be wondering if their club will look to replace Arthur in January, but Romano has suggested it’s too early to say for sure.
LFC will most likely assess Arthur’s situation closer to January and then make a decision from there, though Romano adds that he can see the argument that it’s a risky strategy from the Merseyside giants to possibly put all their eggs in one basket with regards to making a top midfield signing next summer.
Arthur has made just one appearance since signing for the Reds on summer transfer deadline day.
The 26-year-old was absent for Jurgen Klopp’s squad for Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat of Rangers in the Champions League.
Klopp subsequently confirmed that Arthur had picked up a muscle injury.
And now the former Barcelona man is set for a prolonged period on the sidelines. Liverpool paid a loan fee of £4 million to sign Arthur from Juventus and have the option to sign him permanently for circa £33 million.
But with Arthur ruled out until the New Year, he will miss at least 13 matches. Fabrizio wrote: “Bad news for Liverpool and Arthur Melo. The Brazilian midfielder will undergo surgery this weekend, as reported by @JamesPearceLFC — it’s confirmed. 🚨🇧🇷 #LFC
He will be out for the next months, Arthur won’t play again until 2023.”
