Liverpool
Premier League • England
Another Liverpool exit confirmed, as unfortunate star makes final request to ‘special’ Klopp
The Liverpool midfield exodus has collected a new name, though one final request to Jurgen Klopp has been made.
The engine room is where the action will be at Anfield this summer. Two and more probably three new midfielders are wanted to help revamp what has been Liverpool’s weak link this season.
High quality new recruits are wanted to put Liverpool back in contention for the game’s top honours. However, given the high number of midfield exits that are either confirmed or speculated, an overhaul is now a necessity, not a luxury.
Indeed, James Milner will join Brighton as a free agent, while new contracts aren’t on the horizon for Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Both players’ respective deals expire at season’s end.
Elsewhere, Arthur Melo’s loan deal will conclude and it always appeared highly unlikely Liverpool would activate the £32m option to buy.
Now, speaking to Goal, Arthur himself has confirmed he’ll leave Liverpool next month.
The 26-year-old’s time on Merseyside has been blighted by injuries that have restricted him to a mere 13 minutes of first-team action.
However, reports always did the rounds of Arthur doing double sessions when he could to accelerate his recoveries from varying setbacks.
While Arthur’s time with the Reds has not exactly gone to plan, he did speak highly of the city, club and Jurgen Klopp in particular.
The Brazilian also made a plea for one final outing for Liverpool as a way to show his gratitude in what has been a difficult loan spell.
“Since I arrived, [Jurgen] Klopp has treated me really well,” said Arthur. “It is an honour for me to work with Jurgen.
“He is one of the best coaches in the world, he has always spoken well of me, he is someone incredible and the treatment has always been really good, elegant and special.
“The fact of being able to train with someone like him always gives you a lot as a player and I’m sure it’s useful for what’s to come because you learn a lot from him.”
Arthur angling for one final opportunity
“Now that I’m recovered, I would obviously like to be able to play more,” continued Arthur.
“But I can understand that the situation now is different from what happened when I arrived, because at that time the team had some needs and now it has others.
“But I have the peace of mind that when I talk to them and they tell me that no one has any complaints with me, quite the opposite.
“Also all of Liverpool in general, they have treated me great and I only have good words for them and a very special affection.”
On the subject of what’s to come, Arthur concluded: “Next season I see it with good eyes.
“It will be decisive in my career and I am working very well. I’m looking forward to showing this new version of Arthur.
“Hopefully I have an option to say goodbye in Liverpool by playing something, to say goodbye to my team-mates, the technical committee and the fans, who have been very good to me.”
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