Liverpool U21s coach Barry Lewtas loves what Arthur did this week. The Brazilian has gone the extra mile to be ready for the Reds.
Liverpool knew full well that Arthur Melo wouldn’t be up to speed when he arrived at the end of the transfer window. Not only would he have to adapt to the Reds’ methods but his overall fitness wasn’t good enough.
He hadn’t been involved with Juventus as they planned to ship him out. Liverpool, then, would have to ease their new Brazilian into things.
But fortunately, Arthur is doing all he can to adapt quickly. That’s included playing for the Under 21s this week as he tries to find match fitness wherever he can. Those efforts are going a long way with the coaching staff, too.
Under 21s boss Barry Lewtas was full of praise for Arthur this week, labelling him ‘first-class’ in an interview with the Liverpool Echo.
“Arthur has been in over the international break to play games and build up his fitness,” says Lewtas. “That’s off his own back, so that shows his level of professionalism. He has been great with the lads as well. He has been first-class.
“In training on Monday he was excellent, he really drove the lads and as a matchday minus one, it’s probably the best one we’ve had.
“He wants to get fit, he doesn’t need a week off, so it’s come from him.”
Liverpool coach loves effort from Arthur
It’s exactly what you want to hear. Arthur is doing all he can and going out of his way to make this loan deal work. With any luck, he’ll be firing on all cylinders – or close enough – by the time club football resumes.
These will be a big six weeks, after all. The break for the World Cup will coincide with Liverpool turning their attention to January transfer plans. Those plans could drastically affect Arthur and his future at Anfield.
All he can do is work as hard as possible to prove his value. Arthur unquestionably has the talent, and it now seems he has the application, too.
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