[monks data]

Premier League 2 - Div 1

Feb 25, 2023 at 2pm UK

Liverpool U21s
7 - 1
Leicester U21s

Clark (4'), Doak (41', 54'), Odunze (45+2' og.), Koumetio (71'), Woltman (78'), Stewart (89')
Doak (69')

FT(HT: 3-1)

Pennant (8')
Hill (69')

Arthur Melo makes long-awaited Liverpool return in Under-21s win

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 26 February 2023

Liverpool midfielder Arthur Melo makes his long-awaited return from thigh surgery in the Reds' Under-21s 7-1 win over Leicester City.

Liverpool midfielder Arthur Melo made his long-awaited return to competitive action for the Reds' Under-21s against Leicester City on Saturday.

The Juventus loanee arrived as a last-minute option to bolster Liverpool's midfield in January, but he was only on the periphery of Jurgen Klopp's team in September.

Despite being afforded 13 minutes off the bench in the Champions League against Napoli, Arthur was still waiting to make his Premier League debut when it emerged that he would be forced to undergo thigh surgery.

The Brazilian spent the winter period rehabilitating from his operation, and having suffered no setbacks in his recovery, he was able to rejoin the team for training earlier this month.

However, Klopp has not yet considered Arthur for a return to first-team action, instead sending the 26-year-old down to youth level as he builds up his match fitness.

Juventus' Arthur Melo in action in November 2021 © Reuters

Five months on from his last appearance in a Liverpool jersey, Arthur managed to complete the full 90 minutes for the Under-21s in a 7-1 thumping of Leicester on Saturday.

The ex-Barcelona man formed a midfield trident with Dominic Corness and Bobby Clark at the Academy Training Ground, as a Ben Doak-inspired Liverpool tore the Foxes to shreds.

Doak - who is also on the fringes of the first team - scored two goals and provided two assists for Barry Lewtas's men, and witnessing Arthur come through the clash unscathed represents a boost for Klopp.

The Brazil international could now come into contention for his Premier League debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday or Manchester United on Sunday, as Klopp welcomes an added selection dilemma to his much-criticised midfield.

Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Naby Keita were selected from the off for Saturday's meeting with Crystal Palace, where Liverpool laboured to a goalless draw.

Jurgen Klopp in charge of Liverpool in January 2023 © Reuters

Keita in particular came under fire for an underwhelming performance at Selhurst Park, while Henderson and Fabinho have flattered to deceive throughout the campaign too.

An untimely hip injury for Thiago Alcantara has not helped matters either, although the emergence of 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic has been a shining light in Liverpool's season.

With all of Keita, Arthur, Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain due to walk out of the door at the end of the season, Klopp is supposedly after at least two big-name midfielders in the upcoming transfer window.

Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham remains the priority target, while moves for Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch and Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella have also been mooted.

Liverpool's point at Crystal Palace was enough to move them into seventh place in the Premier League table, but they remain six points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who have played a game more.