Injury News: Liverpool midfielder suffers muscle issue ahead of Arsenal encounter

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp confirms Arthur Melo injury ahead of Arsenal clash

Speaking to the pre-match press conference (h/t Liverpool Echo) ahead of the important tie against Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that midfielder Arthur Melo will be out for the clash at the Emirates on Sunday.

“We have a new injury. Arthur Melo in the last session before the Rangers game. Normal situation, he injured a muscle. We have to wait for further assessment to know how long it will be. He is out.

Liverpool are ninth in the league currently and have not enjoyed the best start to the season. Injuries to key players like Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate amongst others has certainly played it’s part.

The lack of depth has especially been found in midfield which has not allowed us to play to our strengths as in the previous season. Hence, to tackle the issue, Brazilian Arthur Melo was signed on an initial loan deal from Juventus to add depth to the injury-plagued midfield.

However, before the midfielder could make a mark in his new surroundings, he joined the long list of injured players from the first team.

There were speculations made during midweek when the midfielder was missing from the squad meant to face Rangers in the UEFA Champions League. It as a game he could arguably have turned out for.

It has been testing times for the Brazilian who has failed to live up to the hype in his homeland, ever since he moved to Europe and joined FC Barcelona. After an unsuccessful spell at the Nou Camp, he was taken in by Italian giants Juventus. However, Arthur failed to leave a mark in Turin.

He was deemed surplus to requirements by manager Massimiliano Allegri. This left room for Liverpool to make their move on deadline day. He, however, is yet to show enough to suggest that a future at Anfield is a possibility.

The current fixture congestion was the perfect platform for the midfielder to stake a claim for himself for the club. It might also have given him an opportunity to make a late push for the Brazil squad ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

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Hopefully, the muscle injury sustained is not too serious. Judging from the statements made by Klopp, it does not appear to be anything too serious.

It remains to be seen when we would actually be able to see the Brazilian return to action any time soon. Making it at Liverpool isn’t easy for anyone and Arthur can only make his case for a future on Merseyside on the pitch.