Arthur Melo has been praised for his impact behind the scenes at Liverpool while enduring his failed loan spell last season.
The Juventus midfielder spent the 2022-23 campaign at Anfield but his time on Merseyside was ravaged by injury and fitness woes. Arthur, 26, played a mere 13 minutes as a substitute during the Reds' bruising 4-1 defeat away to Napoli in the Champions League group stages, with his only starts coming for the club's under-21 side.
In need of game time, manager Jurgen Klopp allowed the Brazilian to feature in the Premier League 2 and later the Papa Johns Trophy. During those fixtures, Arthur played alongside defender Charlie Hayes-Green, who's now sung his praises.
Following a permanent move to Bolton Wanderers, Hayes-Green told the Liverpool Echo: "He was really good, a proper professional. Before the game, it was a fantastic opportunity for me to be around players who have played in such big games.
"He's obviously played for Juventus, Barcelona and huge teams with huge players, being around him and how he did things was so professional. He came down, was humble, spoke to all of us and helped us in the changing room and throughout the game so it was a good experience."
Arthur does indeed have some serious pedigree, having made 72 appearances for Barcelona during his two-season stay at the Camp Nou. The 26-year-old had joined Barca from his native side Gremio €40m (£34m) in the summer of 2018 and was expected to do big things in Catalunya.
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Arthur was then part of what was effectively a swap deal between Barcelona and Juventus which saw Bosnian midfielder Miralem Pjanic head in the other direction. After struggling to find his feet in Turin over two mixed campaigns, he was loaned out to Liverpool, where Klopp hoped that he could offer a sprinkling of magic in midfield.
Unfortunately, the move will go down as one of the most forgettable in Liverpool's modern history. Arthur seems to have no hard feelings, though, telling GOAL last month: "Since I arrived, Klopp has treated me really well. It is an honour for me to work with Jurgen.
"He is one of the best coaches in the world, he has always spoken well of me, he is someone incredible and the treatment has always been really good, elegant and special. The fact of being able to train with someone like him always gives you a lot as a player and I'm sure it's useful for what's to come because you learn a lot from him."
The 22-capped Brazil international added: "Also all of Liverpool in general, they have treated me great and I only have good words for them and a very special affection. Next season I see it with good eyes. It will be decisive in my career and I am working very well. I'm looking forward to showing this new version of Arthur."
