Liverpool news: Pundit on Arthur Melo being banned after new development
Frank McAvennie has insisted Jurgen Klopp won’t be worried about Arthur Melo facing a potential ban at Liverpool.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker said it is better for the Reds to have someone not playing facing a ban than a regular starter.
According to Italian journalist Paolo Ziliani, as relayed by This Is Anfield (25 January), the 26-year-old loanee is among the players whose wages were falsely lowered by parent club Juventus.
The Italian giants have already been docked 15 points in Serie A as part of an investigation into the club’s finances.
According to Ziliani, players whose wages have been altered could face a ban of “at least a month”.
The midfielder is yet to make his Premier League debut for the Reds after suffering an injury shortly after his arrival at Anfield.
As quoted by The Athletic (27 January), Klopp said Arthur is making “pretty good” progress and is hopeful he can join team training in “two or three weeks”.
But the manager stressed the Brazilian needs a “proper build up” given the length of the injury.
When asked if Liverpool will be concerned by Arthur’s potential ban, McAvennie told Football Insider: “Klopp will not be worried too much if he is not playing at the moment anyway.
“I do not think he will be worrying much about it.
“You would rather have someone that is not playing banned for 30 days than somebody you use. So Klopp will not be too concerned about that.“
In other news, according to sources, Liverpool are in talks to agree two deals as Nat Phillips negotiates permanent exit.