Liverpool backed to fast-track new signing after £40m deal agreed
Noel Whelan has backed Liverpool to fast-track Arthur Melo into the starting eleven amid injuries to “key” stars.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted Thiago Alcantara, 31, is “the one” who Jurgen Klopp is missing the most.
Melo joined on a season-long loan from Juventus on transfer deadline day (1 September) – with Liverpool holding an option to buy the midfielder next summer (2022).
As quoted by Anfield Watch on Twitter (6 September), Klopp revealed the Brazillian will be ready to play “minutes” against Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday (7 September).
Liverpool are threadbare in the midfield area with Thiago, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones, Fabio Carvalho, and Jordan Henderson all nursing injury problems at present.
The Merseysiders have started the Premier League campaign with just nine points from six games and already trail leaders Arsenal by six points.
Whelan highlighted the absence of Thiago – insisting the Spain international makes Klopp’s side “tick”.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “They’ve got some key injuries, there’s no doubt about it.
“Thiago is the one, for me. He’s the one who makes them tick, he can slow or speed up a game, he’s got the passing range – he’s key.
“They’ve got players in reserve. Milner, Henderson, Fabinho, Melo – they’ve got options.
“I believe we’ll be seeing Melo very soon because they need something else in that midfield area.
“He’s not going to whinge about it, is Klopp, because he’s got people in reserve.”
In other news, pundit “loves” what he’s heard from Fabio Carvalho at Liverpool.