Liverpool’s forgotten man set to leave without playing a game after ‘dream’ loan transfer becomes a nightmare
LIVERPOOL’S forgotten man Arthur Melo is set to leave the club without playing a single Premier League minute.
That is despite him declaring it was a “dream” to join the Reds last summer.
But it has turned into a nightmare, with just 13 minutes of first-team action in the 4-1 Champions League defeat to Napoli.
He’s managed 243 minutes in the Premier League 2 and EFL Trophy.
Arthur will undoubtedly go down as one of the biggest failures in Liverpool’s recent transfer history having paid Juventus £4million to take him on loan.
There is an option to buy in the deal.
But as reported by Fabrizio Romano, the midfielder will leave Anfield and return to Juventus when his temporary contract expires at the end of the season, with the Merseysiders rejecting the chance to sign him permanently.
Arthur said upon his arrival in England: “I’m really, really happy to be here wearing this great shirt with this famous badge that represents so much in world football. It’s a dream.
“I’ve always wanted to experience English football, it’s the best league in the world in my opinion. That’s why I’m so happy to be here.
“I feel ready, I’ve prepared a lot for this moment and now it’s here. Now it’s time to perform after all the hard work I’ve put in.
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“I feel prepared and ready and I am eager to get started straight away.”
But it has not worked out at all with Arthur an unused sub against Everton and Brighton at the beginning of the season before suffering a thigh injury in training.
Jurgen Klopp confirmed it was “really serious” and the ex-Barcelona man required surgery, sidelining him until the New Year.
He played in the Under-23s’ 7-1 thrashing of Leicester on February 25 and made the bench for the defeat to Bournemouth on March 11.
But he has not featured for Klopp since the thumping defeat in Naples on September 7.
And Arthur’s agent Federico Pastorello confirmed to Tmw: “He’s been unlucky with injuries, Arthur is now back but I think he will return to Juventus in July.”
The Brazil international is one of three midfielders set to leave Liverpool this summer with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita also out of contract.
James Milner’s deal is also up this summer while Thiago’s currently runs until 2024.
It means Liverpool look destined to bring in a new midfielder.
Jude Bellingham was the No1 target with Mason Mount an alternative if they miss out on the Borussia Dortmund ace, as expected.