Liverpool have been dealt an injury blow after it has emerged that midfield player Arthur is to undergo surgery on a quad muscle injury and will be unavailable for selection until January 2023 at the earliest.
The Brazil international is with the Anfield club on a season-long loan from Italian giants Juventus, and sustained the injury in training ahead of this weekend’s clash with high-flying Arsenal.
Liverpool Midfielder Arthur Requires Surgery on Muscle Injury
Operation Marks Latest Setback During Disappointing Loan Spell
So far, Arthur’s loan spell on Merseyside has failed to produce the impact hoped for by the club and player. Reds manager Jurgen Klopp signed the 26-year-old with a view towards bolstering his midfield options, but Arthur failed to adapt to the Premier League prior to sustaining this injury setback.
In fact, the former Barcelona player has only seen game time in the Champions League so far for Liverpool, and that came in a substitute appearance against Italian side Napoli.
Arthur’s surgery is expected to keep him on the sidelines for the next three to four months, meaning a January return is the earliest foreseeable timeline as it stands.
Weekend Fixture With Arsenal to Provide Indicator of Liverpool’s Current Level
Arthur’s injury is not the only problem Klopp faces going into Sunday’s crucial fixture against a powerful and dangerous Arsenal side.
While Mikel Arteta’s team are high in confidence, the Reds have looked vulnerable defensively, are yet to fully click into gear and currently find themselves tenth in the Premier League table.
As such, this weekend’s clash is set to reveal just how close this current Liverpool team is to returning towards its usual form and beginning a return towards the top of the table.
A defeat for Klopp’s men would set further alarm bells ringing as to their predicament, and would also return Arsenal to the summit, with the top spot currently occupied by defending champions Manchester City.
