Frustrated Jurgen Klopp confirms fresh Liverpool midfielder injury; wants to get the ‘rubbish’ out of stars

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed further midfield injury woe, with Arthur Melo suffering a muscle problem before the win over Rangers.

The Reds addressed their engine room this summer with the arrival of the Juventus man on loan. He has only played 13 minutes of first-team football so far, instead building his fitness in the youth ranks.

Arthur has played for Liverpool’s Under-21s in the EFL Trophy, as well as in the Premier League 2.

The Brazilian has also hired fitness staff to help him adapt and become ready to properly contribute to the first team.

However, Arthur did not make the squad for Tuesday’s Champions League win over Rangers. And Klopp confirmed in his Friday press conference that the 26-year-old is out with a muscle injury.

In better news, Curtis Jones trained on Thursday and Andy Robertson “looks like he’s close”.

“Curtis Jones was in training yesterday,” Klopp said. “He looks good, but that is now the first session, so he’s probably closest. Nothing new about Naby [Keita] and Ox [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain], still a bit away.

“There is a new injury with Arthur. In the last session before the Rangers game, in a normal situation he just injured a muscle.

“We have to wait for further assessment to know exactly how long it will be, but he’s out. Curtis is now the closest, then Robbo, then the others, step by step.”

Reports have claimed that Liverpool feel ‘disappointed’ at Arthur and are seeking a transfer upgrade from Serie A in January.

Jurgen Klopp tackles Liverpool consistency issues

Klopp added in his press conference that he is not interested in the rhetoric that his side have improved in one game – such as against Rangers – then are back to having issues, such as in the 3-3 draw with Brighton.

“I said before a game, if we spot a problem, we want a solution instantly clicking,” the manger said.

“We are still a work in progress to find a way out. So you cannot say we’re back, then we are back in a dark place.

We need consistency, we need to defend the rubbish out of everybody. I am not interested in short-term.

“We have to be good until we are outstanding. Arsenal away, Rangers away – a different game to Anfield – and Man City.  I cannot say ‘yes, we are through [the bad patch].”

Reds have problems to solve

Despite Klopp standing against the idea of his side flicking between praise and criticism for their performances, that is the trend we are seeing from Liverpool.

They seemingly cannot produce the intensity and pressing which has been a trademark of their displays consistently this season.

Until they do that, this narrative will undoubtedly continue.

And what better way to silence the critics in that regard than a win away at Arsenal?

Liverpool have struggled against a lot of teams this season, but the 2-1 defeat at Manchester United was a particular highlight.

If the Reds can win against their next big rival away from home, they will go a long way to finding consistency.