Jurgen Klopp could reportedly hand Arthur Melo his first start for Liverpool on the final day of the Premier League season against Southampton if top-four is confirmed as impossible.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the German manager’s starting XI to face the Saints will be determined on if Liverpool have a chance of pipping Manchester United or Newcastle United for a UEFA Champions League spot, though given the odds, this is unlikely to be the case.
As a result, Klopp could start a heavily-rotated starting XI with UEFA Europa League football confirmed for next season, and Arthur could be in with a chance to make his first start for Liverpool having made just one appearance this season in what has been a disastrous loan spell.
The 26-year-old joined Liverpool on deadline day last summer, and the Brazilian could, unfortunately, find himself as a candidate for one of the Merseyside giants’ worst signings in recent years, with Arthur playing just 13 minutes for the Anfield side.
Once dubbed as being ‘sensational’ by former Italy international Antonio Cassano, Arthur making his first start for Liverpool in his last-ever game for the club is nothing short of embarrassing. However, the midfielder will no doubt relish the chance to finally make Klopp’s starting XI.
Arthur will want to end disastrous Liverpool spell on a high
Excitement was minimal when Liverpool signed Arthur last summer, yet nobody could have predicted the midfielder’s time in England to go as badly as it has done. Yet the Juventus-owned player will want to end his time in the Premier League on a high against Southampton.
Should Arthur make the XI, the Brazilian could finally show Liverpool fans what they have been missing all season, and with the Saints already down, Arthur could be given a chance to flourish against the Championship-bound side in his final match for the Reds.
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