Federico Pastorello, the agent of Juventus loanee Arthur Melo, discussed his client’s slow start to life with Liverpool.
The 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder joined the Reds on transfer deadline day in the summer, putting pen to paper on a season-long loan deal with a buy option attached. Arthur slipped down the hierarchies in Turin and wasn’t included in Massimiliano Allegri’s plans for this season, pushing him to make the jump abroad.
Speaking to Calciomercato.it, Pastorello first explained why Arthur has experienced a slow start to his time with Liverpool.
“Arthur played very little last year, then had an operation, planned, in June, thus missing part of the pre-season.
“He wasn’t in 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.”
He also commented on the differences between Serie A and the Premier League.
“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.”
Finally, Pastorello suggested that Arthur was ready to be integrated into Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool squad.
“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.”
The 26-year-old Arthur has been spending time with the Liverpool Under-21 squad in a bid to build up his fitness, cancelling his holiday in an attempt to be ready for Premier League action.
Despite his ambitions, it’s hard to imagine the Reds making his stay permanent at the end of the season, making a return to Turin incredibly likely.
Lazy player. Talented tho.
Completely crap player and unfortunately there wi be no getting rid of him.