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Arthur Melo, currently a Juventus midfielder, has confirmed that he will leave Liverpool when his loan spell ends this summer.
The Reds had no intention of bolstering their engine room last summer. But injuries to Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara early in the season prompted a last-minute deadline day rush.
Rather than spending big money on a big-name midfielder, Liverpool agreed to bring Arthur in for the 2022-23 season, with an option to extend his stay for around £32.5 million.
The 26-year-old’s time on Merseyside, however, has been nothing short of a nightmare, with only one senior appearance for Jurgen Klopp’s side, a 13-minute cameo off the bench in September’s 4-1 Champions League defeat to Napoli.
Arthur Melo was sidelined by a thigh injury and subsequent surgery between October and February, and he has remained on the outskirts of Klopp’s team since recovering.
The Brazil international has been an unused substitute against Bournemouth, Manchester City, and Chelsea since the turn of the year, but he has failed to make Liverpool’s squad for their last seven Premier League games.
Prior to undergoing thigh surgery, Arthur started two Under-21 games for Liverpool against Rochdale and Leicester City, and he also played 90 minutes in a second Premier League 2 game against the latter in February, helping the Reds win 7-1..
Liverpool were not expected to activate the permanent clause in Arthur’s contract due to his perennial struggles for first-team action, and the former Barcelona man has confirmed to Goal that he will leave the Merseyside club this summer.
Arthur Melo has announced that he will leave Liverpool at the end of his loan spell this summer
Arthur, who had a terrible time in England, had nothing but good things to say about the team and Klopp. He is hoping for a few rare minutes in Liverpool’s remaining games.
I’ll have the chance to say goodbye to my teammates, the technical committee, and the fans in Liverpool, who have been incredibly supportive, hopefully by playing something,” Arthur said.
“Klopp has been fantastic to me since I arrived.” Working with Jurgen is a privilege for me. He is one of the best coaches in the world. He has always spoken well of me and he is someone incredible. His treatment has always been really good, elegant, and special.
“Being able to train with someone like him always gives you a lot as a player.”
“I’m sure it’ll be useful for what’s to come because you learn a lot from him.”
“Now that I’ve recovered, I obviously want to play more.”
I recognize that since my arrival, things have changed because the team now has different needs than it did then.
They tell me that nobody is unhappy with me, quite the opposite, when I speak to them,” the player said.
“Also, the people of Liverpool in general have been wonderful to me. And I only have kind words and a special affection for them.”
I’ll see it with fresh eyes next season. It will be pivotal in my career, and I am working hard. I’m excited to show you this new version of Arthur.”
Arthur’s contract with Juventus expires in 2025. But he has only one goal and one assist in 63 appearances for the Old Lady. He now is not expected to be in Massimiliano Allegri’s plans for next season.
The 26-year-old is now the second player confirmed to leave Liverpool this summer.
