Liverpool youngster says ‘humble’ Reds star spoke in the changing room before an academy game last season

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Arthur Melo made sure he spoke to all of the Liverpool academy players before featuring in the Papa John’s Trophy last year.

Arthur played for the U18 side in a bid to improve his match fitness having joined Liverpool last summer. Unfortunately, his two starts for the academy team were his only during a terrible year on Merseyside.

However, the 26-year-old was still able to make an impression. Speaking to the Liverpool Echo yesterday, Reds youngster Charlie Hayes-Green outlined the ‘fantastic’ experience of having Arthur in the matchday squad to take on Rochdale.

“He was really good, a proper professional,” raved the defender, who’s set to leave Liverpool at the end of the month. “Before the game, it was a fantastic opportunity for me to be around players who have played in such big games.

“He’s obviously played for Juventus, Barcelona and huge teams with huge players, being around him and how he did things was so professional. He came down, was humble, spoke to all of us and helped us in the changing room and throughout the game so it was a good experience.”

Arthur makes his mark

We can’t have been the only ones desperate for Jurgen Klopp to give Arthur his Premier League debut on the last game of last season.

It seemed wholly unfair that the manager kept him rooted to the bench for the full 90 minutes of the 4-4 draw with Southampton.

Having had such a miserable year on-loan, Arthur deserved at least that. After putting in the hard yards with the youth teams, the Brazilian really should have been given his moment.

It wouldn’t have changed the fact that his spell at Anfield was an unmitigated disaster. But it would at least have made him feel like a part of things right at the end.

Jurgen couldn’t even use the old excuse of looking ahead to next season, where Arthur will be far away from the club. James Milner also won’t be at Liverpool next season, but he inexplicably got the full 90 minutes at St Mary’s.

In the grand scheme of things, it means nothing. Arthur’s arrival and departure at Anfield will barely register in the history books.

But, evidently, the Brazil international did have an impact on those he came into contact with. Hayes-Green will leave Liverpool to join Bolton Wanderers when June turns into July. The 18-year-old will no doubt take what he learned from his interaction with Arthur as he embarks on a professional career of his own.