Liverpool midfielder expected to leave the club in January

Liverpool midfielder Arthur Melo could be on the move this January, with Brazilian side Palmeiras reportedly keen on signing the 26-year-old.

Arthur arrived from Juventus on loan last summer. However, it hasn't quite worked out for him in Merseyside, with the player spending most of his time recovering from injury.

Even when fit, Jurgen Klopp appeared to favour others in midfield, suggesting he was not up to the "intensity" of the Premier League.

"He wasn't in team training for a while at Juve, so he needs proper team training - and that's what we are doing with him. Can he play minutes? Yes. Should he play a full game? No, because he needs to get used to the intensity in each competition," Klopp said last September.

Tuttomercatoweb then reported that the Liverpool coaches were left unimpressed by the Brazilian, who is said to be deemed not ‘at the level expected’.

And after making just one appearance for the side, the Reds may be ready to pull the plug on his loan spell, allowing him to leave Anfield early.

Arthur set for Liverpool exit

According to journalist Felippe Facincani, Palmeiras are keen to bring Arthur back to his homeland, with Liverpool unlikely to activate his £32million option to buy clause.

Palmeiras, the former club of Gabriel Jesus, are thought to have money in the bank after selling Danilo to Nottingham Forest for £18million this window.

Arthur's departure may come as good news for Klopp too, with the German said to be struggling to compete financially this month.

Klopp explained that they were out of funds following the signing of Cody Gakpo. However, a release in Arthur's wage bill could

free up some cash to help the 55-year-old sign a midfielder before the window slams shut.

Reds fans have been screaming out for further midfield recruits, with James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all out of contract in the summer, whilst Jordan Henderson, Thiago and Fabinho aren't getting any younger.

Topics: Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, Juventus, Premier League, Football, Transfers

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno