Liverpool summer arrival Arthur Melo has reportedly hired his own personal fitness team in order to finally break into Jurgen Klopp’s first XI.
The Reds were not expected to spend money on a new midfielder during the summer transfer window, but injuries to a number of key players forced Jurgen Klopp’s hand.
Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all been sidelined, prompting Klopp to authorise a deadline-day loan transfer for Juventus’ Arthur.
However, the former Barcelona man is still working his way back to full match fitness, and he’s yet to play a competitive game for the senior Liverpool team.
Arthur Melo Hires Personal Fitness Team To Join Him At Liverpool
According to The Times, Arthur has engaged the services of nutritionist Joana Pessoa Dell’Oro, physiotherapist Adrian Martinez Castro, and fitness coach Daniel Esteban Labarca Encina to help him restart his career at Anfield.
Arthur Melo made his Liverpool debut earlier this month in a 4-1 Champions League loss to Napoli, coming off the bench for the final 13 minutes after James Milner was selected ahead of him.
The Brazil international then failed to play against Ajax and was earlier an unused replacement in Everton’s Merseyside derby when his work permit was processed faster than planned.
To prepare for first-team action, Arthur has joined the Under-21s squad and played the entire 90 minutes in a 1-0 Premier League 2 win over Leicester City on September 17.
The 26-year-old was then called up for EFL Trophy action against Rochdale, where he played an hour before being replaced by returning player-coach Jay Spearing.
See Also: Fourth Barcelona Star Picks Up International Break Injury
Due to the death and state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, Liverpool only played one Premier League game in September, forcing Arthur to drop down to the youth levels for fitness concerns.
There have been reports that Liverpool could have terminated Arthur’s loan agreement in January if they were able to recruit a new midfielder, but the Brazilian is expected to stay until the end of his current deal.
The agreement has a €37.5m (£33.1m) option to make Arthur’s stay permanent, but Liverpool are unlikely to exercise it because they are focused on a summer transfer for Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.
After the international break, Arthur Melo will try to make his Premier League debut for Liverpool against Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on October 1.
COMMENTS