Liverpool youngster Ben Doak was spotted gesturing towards senior player Arthur Melo during the U21’s fixture against Leicester City on Saturday.
That’s according to the Liverpool Echo, who have shared a report on the U21’s’ emphatic 7-1 victory over the Foxes.
In a big surprise, 26-year-old Arthur was announced in Barry Lewtas’ starting XI.
Having missed five months worth of action due to a severe thigh injury, the Brazilian made only his second appearance in the Premier League 2 this season.
Playing in the middle of the park alongside Clark and Dominic Corness, the Juventus loanee completed the full 90 minutes.
Tasked to recycle possession and play between the lines, Arthur was expectedly rusty.
Therefore, it was rather telling when Ben Doak gestured at the midfielder midway through the first half, when he failed to release the 17-year-old down the flank with bags of space ahead of him.
Doak frustrated by Arthur
After such a long period out injured, Arthur was always going to struggle on his return.
He was obviously lacking that match sharpness that Doak is so full of right now, having excelled for both the U21’s and the first-team this season.
According to the Echo, the Brazilian’s appearances for the youth side have come at the player’s request, rather than it being something Jurgen Klopp had instructed.
This demonstrates his initiative to get back to fitness as soon as possible, giving himself a chance of making an impact on the senior team.
With his injury, Arthur’s career at Anfield hasn’t gone as he would have hoped when making the deadline day move.
Therefore, with the midfielder so intent on getting minutes on the pitch, fans can only root for him, as they love to see a player so determined to impress on Merseyside.