‘Very similar’: Lionel Messi has already made a big claim about who Liverpool-bound Arthur Melo plays like

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Lionel Messi has previously compared Liverpool-bound midfielder Arthur Melo to Barcelona icon Xavi.

News broke today that Arthur is set to join Liverpool on-loan from Juventus. As Reds fans scramble to find out all they can about their surprise signing, they’ll be interested to read Messi’s comments.

Speaking to Marca while the two were Barca teammates in 2018, Messi spoke about Arthur in glowing terms.

“He is very similar to Xavi as he likes to have the ball, play short, not lose it and is very solid. He surprised me,” said the Argentine.

That’s one heck of a recommendation! No wonder Liverpool have been sold on his talents.

Liverpool surprise everyone with ‘secret’ signing

As far as surprise signings go, they don’t come much more shocking than this. There had been suggestions that Liverpool were working on a ‘secret’ deal, but not too many supporters would have been especially hopeful.

Instead, it looked as though Jurgen Klopp might bumble on with the options he has in midfield.

Thankfully, Liverpool saw sense. Following another injury in the position last night, this time to Jordan Henderson, The Reds simply had to act.

Arthur wouldn’t have been a player on anybody’s mind as a last-gasp addition. That’s perhaps a bad thing, too, as the midfielder has drifted a little out of the football world’s consciousness since his move to Juve in 2020.

But as Messi will attest, there’s a player in there. If Liverpool can keep him fit and bring out the best in him, it could prove to be a really shrewd piece of business.

As a loan deal, there’s minimal risk if things don’t work out as well.

Should things have the desired effect though, Arthur could be a decent option to bring in permanently next summer. When Juventus signed him in 2020, he was considered one of the most promising midfielders in the world.

If Liverpool can get him back to anything close to his form at Camp Nou, he’ll be a good addition. And who knows, maybe Liverpool aren’t finished just yet today…

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