Liverpool finally managed to add another body in midfield on deadline day, completing the loan signing of Arthur Melo from Juventus.
The Brazilian is a talented player, although he has struggled somewhat since moving from Barcelona to Turin in 2020. As well as that, his name had not been mentioned as a possible option for the club. All indications are that this was very much a last minute move.
We’re delighted to confirm the signing of @arthurhromelo on loan from Juventus for the remainder of the 2022-23 season, subject to international clearance 🙌🔴
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 1, 2022
Liverpool's injury issues in midfield this season have been well documented, but they were not entirely unexpected. The likes of Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all struggled to maintain their fitness in recent years.
Fabio Carvalho and Harvey Elliott will add some youth to the middle third, but many felt that club should have gone all out to strengthen in that area.
Jamie Carragher worried by Liverpool recruitment
Jurgen Klopp said on a number of occasions that the club could not attain their main midfield targets this summer.
They thought they were in a good position to sign Aurélien Tchouaméni, only for the player to end up at Real Madrid instead. Their interest in Jude Bellingham is also well known, but Borussia Dortmund will not sell the Englishman until at least the summer of 2023.
Liverpool have made a habit of waiting for their ideal target to become available, although Jamie Carragher is worried that they have left themselves too much work to do in the midfield.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the pundit said that Liverpool may have been better served signing at least one midfielder on a permanent deal this summer as opposed to leaving all of their business until next year.
I don't think Arthur is the answer to what Liverpool will need in the next three or four years; they need a younger, more energetic kind of player. But I think Arthur is in just to fill a space, that is why Liverpool have bought him late and on loan.
It smacks a little bit of what Liverpool did 18 months ago when they had lots of centre-backs injured and they didn't buy anyone but brought in players on loan to have a look at them. Liverpool didn't buy those players and went on to sign Ibrahima Konate in the summer.
The actual midfield player they want is not available right now, so I think bringing someone in on loan is sensible...
You can look at the funds other clubs have spent, and at times that does frustrate Liverpool supporters.
All fans are the same, we all get excited by a transfer, but there is no point signing players you don't need. Liverpool needed a striker and spent big on a striker. Liverpool needed a midfield player but the player they wanted was not available.
The question is should they have gone for someone else? Yes, there is an argument that next season - with age and injuries - they will need more than one midfielder. It's the one area you can question Liverpool.
Yes, they are not panicking, but they could be in the market for two or three midfield players - could they have brought one of them in now? Midfielders are going to be the major shake-up in the next 12 months for Liverpool.
Arthur will provide another option for Jurgen Klopp and he could yet prove to be an astute signing. Liverpool will have the option to sign him on a permanent deal for €37.5million next summer.
It also expected that they will go all out in an attempt to sign Jude Bellingham, although they will face plenty of competition for his signature.
Should they miss out on in 2023, the reception from the supporters will not be a favourable one.
SEE ALSO: New Manchester City Signing Manuel Akanji Has An Incredible Hidden Skill
