LONDON — Liverpool bolstered its midfield by adding Brazil international Arthur Melo on loan from Juventus for the rest of the season in the final hours of the summer transfer window.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had belatedly made signing a midfielder a priority due to injuries at the position, most recently to captain Jordan Henderson.
The England international sustained a hamstring injury in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Newcastle at Anfield, leaving the field after 71 minutes.
Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita are also out injured, forcing Klopp to make a late foray into the market.
The Brazilian, who played the past two seasons at Juventus following two years at Barcelona, is hoping to force his way into his national team’s squad for the World Cup. He has played 22 times for Brazil.
“We talked a lot,” Arthur said about Liverpool according to Reuters, “and our ideas and visions were a good fit so I´m sure it was the right choice.
“I´m really happy and highly motivated to continue living my dream on the pitch and giving my all in a Liverpool shirt.”
Elsewhere, Fulham signed forward Willian on a one-year deal, as the Brazilian returns to the Premier League on a free transfer following the departure from Brazil Serie A side Corinthians.
Willian had terminated the contract with Corinthians in August after receiving death threats, the former Arsenal and Chelsea player said.
“I’m happy to be here, I’m happy to be back in the Premier League,” the 34-year-old, who has 70 caps for Brazil, told the club’s video channel, FFCtv.
Willian first moved to the Premier League in 2013, joining Chelsea from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.
During seven years with the west London club he won the Premier League twice, making 339 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions.
In August 2020 he signed for Arsenal before moving back to Brazil.
Fulham has signed former France defender Layvin Kurzawa on a season-long loan from Paris St Germain.
