Arthur Melo played just 13 minutes for Liverpool. To say he has unfinished business in England is an understatement.
While the midfielder’s immediate focus is on Fiorentina’s Europa Conference League final with Olympiacos tomorrow night, there is no hiding his desire to return to the Premier League.
Arthur is on loan from Juventus. He did not fit in with coach Massimo Allegri – hence his initial sojourn in Liverpool last year. A devastating thigh injury put paid to dreams of making any impact at Anfield though so this season, Allegri sent the Brazilian away again.
It is perhaps apt that in Florence, home of the renaissance, Arthur has revived a career that promised so much yet was in danger of being diminished.
The artistry, that once brought about his £70million move from Barcelona to Juventus, is again being recognised with some critics hailing him one of the best performers in Serie A this season.
Arthur Melo has reignited his career at Fiorentina this season after a difficult year at Liverpool
Melo joined Liverpool in the summer of 2022, but played just 13 minutes of football for the club
A devastating thigh injury put paid to the Brazilian’s dreams of making any impact at Anfield
‘I think I’m in the form of my life,’ Arthur tells Mail Sport. ‘I’ve got back to my best this season, and I’ve learnt and developed in some really important facets of the game, such as the defensive side and tactically. Italian football forces you to be far more disciplined. I’ve also made strides in terms of maturity and on an emotional level. I’m now proud of the Arthur that I am today.’
Indeed, he has made 47 appearances this season and added two goals, including an injury-time penalty winner against Cagliari last week.
‘The two goals I got at the end of the season proves that I’m heading into the final in fine form and couldn’t be feeling any better. I’ve been really happy with the season; it has gone according to plan.’
That plan was to put himself in the shop window.
He will return to Juventus next month and Allegri’s sacking, following his touchline antics after the Italian Cup final, offers a fresh opportunity under new coach Thiago Motta but Arthur’s ideal is another crack at the Premier League.
‘I’d like to have another shot. It’s a league I like a lot and feel I was unlucky there with the injury I picked up,’ he says.
‘I took all the positives from Liverpool. Working with Jurgen Klopp and his staff was a positive experience and I want another opportunity.’
As a boy growing up, he was first drawn to English football by Brazilian TV showcasing the skills of Cristiano Ronaldo and the Manchester United side of Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs.
When the call came from Klopp to join Liverpool in late August 2022, Arthur leapt at the chance. The downside was that under Allegri, he had been frozen out, training alone and had no pre-season in his legs.
Speaking to Mail Sport, Melo (right) claimed he was in the ‘form of his life’ ahead of Fiorentina’s Europa Conference League final clash against Olympiacos in Athens on Wednesday evening
The Brazilian opened up on the developments he has made under manager Vincenzo Italiano
Melo has found himself frozen out at Juventus by former boss Massimo Allegri in recent years
‘I played 13 minutes as a substitute against Napoli in the Champions League before I was injured in training. It was a Monday; things were going okay and I was building for minutes and game time in the Premier League. I made a five-metre pass in training then felt a little discomfort. I thought it was nothing at first. The coach asked and I said I don’t think it’s anything important but he said I should go for a scan after the session. I went and it turned out to be a severe injury. It had just been a regular action, so it was so difficult to understand. I’d never had a muscular injury before, it was the first time so not a familiar feeling.’
Arthur had torn a thigh muscle.
Straining to make up for his lack of a pre-season, after the Napoli defeat, he had asked to play for Liverpool’s U21s against Leicester City then in the Football League Trophy at Rochdale. He pushed for extra training during the international break but, unfortunately, overloaded. Surgery meant he would be out for four months.
‘Klopp was really good,’ reflects Arthur. ‘What it highlighted about him was that you could tell he had been a player and understood. He knew my disappointment; he stayed close to me and was always asking how I was during my recovery. He stayed calm, he knew it would take time but he would say ”no rush” and gave me a feeling of trust.
‘He knew that I was upset and sad but he understood and he just kept the pressure off.’
Time on the sidelines allowed Arthur greater insight into Klopp’s workings, not least his allure as a motivator.
After an impressive season, Melo insisted he has unfinished business in the Premier League
But despite his difficult year at Liverpool, Melo only had good things to say about the club
‘I was taken in by how he handles players. I tell you the way he teaches players is like no other coach. Klopp creates an environment like a family.
‘He is really close to the players. When you are on the pitch, he is right by you, talking, so you feel he is almost there with you on the pitch, encouraging.
‘When I arrived, his assistant spoke to me a lot in Portuguese too, it all helps create a very close bond. You feel special as if it’s only you that matters.’
The bond Arthur formed with his Liverpool teammates remains.
‘I was close with the Brazilians of course, Roberto Firmino, Thiago, Fabinho and Alisson but also Darwin Nunez and Adrian the goalkeeper.
‘We created a strong bond between our families, it was very important to me. We spent Christmas together and our families were always going out. Liverpool is a cool city. The club was very good at organising events too.
‘I’m still in touch with all of them. Alisson particularly jokes about getting me back to England.’
Melo reserved particular praise for outgoing boss Jurgen Klopp and his man management
He opened up on the friendships he made, including spending Christmas with Darwin Nunez
It is Liverpool’s neighbours Everton who have shown interest in making that happen so far, on another loan, while other clubs are beginning to make enquiries. A strong performance in Athens against Olympiacos could increase demand.
‘Every experience I have had since I was a boy at Gremio I have learned from. I had lot of pressure at a big club like Barcelona. Then at Juventus I had a different league, different style, more about tactics and new concepts. In England it was about intensity – to be better than anywhere else – I improved there as well despite not getting the games. Now Fiorentina is more tactical. Every experience has made me more mature, more complete. I place a lot of value on what I have learned.
‘I have had some low points in recent seasons, taken a few knocks, that’s true but I never doubted myself. I knew I would have the chance to show my game is still very strong. To finish the season with a trophy would be massive.’