Jurgen Klopp given midfield boost as Arthur Melo’s agent says he is now ‘at the coach’s disposal’

Jurgen Klopp has been given a promising update on the fitness of loanee Arthur Melo who could be the solution to Liverpool’s injury crisis in midfield, according to reports. 

The 26-year-old joined the club from Juventus on a season long loan on the final day of the summer transfer window but has failed to impress the Reds’ boss having made just two appearances since his arrival. 

Having missed the majority of pre-season, the Brazilian’s fitness has been a concern for Klopp, but the former Barcelona star has been working hard behind the scenes to get up to the standards required to take on the rigours of English football. 

And it appears he may be ready to get more regular game time for the Merseyside club, with his agent announcing that the midfielder is ready to become a more regular face in the Liverpool midfield, according to CalcioMercato. 

Speaking to the Italian news outlet, his agent 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.’

The midfielder is no stranger to playing on the big stage though, having arrived at Barcelona in 2018 from Brazilian side Gremio for £35m, before departing to Juventus for £68m in 2020. 

Injury set backs have prevented him from impressing in the Premier League, with Arthur undergoing an operation earlier this summer to fix a bone calcification in his right leg. 

Arthur has also struggled to acclimatise to the demands of the English top flight, and it was rumored he could have his contract terminated in January, with Liverpool dissatisfied with his current level. 

But according to his agent, he is now ready and rearing to play for the Liverpool first team.

‘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.’

Arthur’s absence on the pitch has caused the wrong kind of selection headaches for Klopp, who has struggled with a string of injuries to key players this season leaving him with slim pickings in midfield.

Captain Jordan Henderson has missed large parts of the campaign with a hamstring injury, but returned to feature in England’s draw against Germany on Monday night. 

Naby Keita has also been sidelined for the start of the season with a hamstring injury, but is set to return later this October. 

The Reds’ are also without Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain and Fabio Carvalho in midfield and with Arthur now fit, the Brazilian, who has been capped 22 times for his country, could be the solution to Klopp’s midfield hedache. 

Although, Liverpool are still looking to bring in more fresh faces to their midfield over the next year, with the club reportedly in the driving seat to sign emerging young star Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.