Liverpool are on the verge of completing the loan signing of Arthur Melo from Juventus.
The deal is a surprising and intriguing one, as The Reds finally get the midfield addition they’ve been crying out for.
But it won’t be the first time player and club have crossed paths. Then of Barcelona, Arthur faced Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final in 2019.
The tie is of course now an iconic one in Liverpool’s history. But before Lionel Messi’s free-kick excellence, corner taken quickly and all the rest of it, here’s what Arthur said about Liverpool.
“For me, Liverpool is one of the best clubs in the world. They have very high quality players, especially in front-line and I expect two very great matches. We and Liverpool both will go out for the win. For sure, it will be a great battle,” said the then 22-year-old via the Liverpool Echo.
Two very great matches indeed. Two very great matches that set Liverpool on their way to winning the trophy in Madrid.
Better days ahead for Arthur at Anfield
Arthur only played 15 minutes across both legs in 2019. Those came towards the end of the incredible second-leg at Anfield.
As a result, he was on the pitch, and indeed in the penalty box, when Origi scored Liverpool’s go-ahead fourth goal.
It must have been a galling moment for the young Brazilian. Having enjoyed a good first season at Barca, he was never quite the same afterwards.
Of course, that was nothing to do with Liverpool. But it’s undoubtedly a reference point for where things began to very quickly unravel for Barcelona, and unfortunately for Arthur a little, too.
Returning to Anfield will hopefully be something of a coming full circle experience in that respect.
Having seen the power that the stadium can have as an opposing player, hopefully he’ll now get to witness a few special moments in it as his home.
That’s all to come, though. First of all, Liverpool need to make sure the deal gets done before 11pm.
Arthur may not have been every Liverpool supporter’s first choice. But he’s on the way now, and he’s clearly enthusiastic about the club. If he can perform as he has at times in the past, maybe he’ll even get to make it his permanent home.
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