Arthur to Liverpool: Lionel Messi’s 2018 comments sum up Brazilian

Liverpool couldn’t help but get caught up in the deadline day rush as they swooped for Arthur Melo in a loan deal aimed at easing their midfield crisis.

Having snatched a crucial three points right at the last against Newcastle on Wednesday night, the Reds just about managed to keep touch with the Premier League leaders.

However, Fabio Carvalho thumping home in the dying seconds couldn’t quite paper over the cracks of Jurgen Klopp’s threadbare midfield options as he deals with a mini crisis in his engine room.

With a number of his first-choice options prone on the physio bench, Klopp’s hand was forced as he went in search of crucial reinforcments.

Klopp is notoriously reluctant when it comes to signing just any old player to fill a gap and so the move for Arthur shows just how desperate the situation has become.

So what does Arthur bring to the table?

Firstly, while his statistics on the surface may underwhelm, his versatility will have been seen as a massive plus for Klopp.

With the ability to play both as an anchor or a number eight, Arthur gives Klopp a lot more freedom as he attempts to juggle his available options.

The Brazilian could represent a very tidy piece of business for the Reds, especially when you consider what Lionel Messi had to say about him when he first signed for Barcelona back in 2018.

Speaking on the raft of new signings that had arrived at the club, Messi signalled out Arthur for particularly special praise.

Thiago, Arthur and Fabinho would be an interesting combopic.twitter.com/V6EDuUxkSE

“The players who have come are all very good but, if I had to pick just one, I would say Arthur who has surprised me.

“I didn’t really know much about him and, talking about the similarities and comparisons, the