Liverpool transfer: watch Jamie Carragher explains why Liverpool signed Arthur despite claiming the Brazilian is not the answer to their midfield problems

Liverpool transfer: watch Jamie Carragher explains why Liverpool signed Arthur despite claiming the Brazilian is not the answer to their midfield problems

Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher has claimed that new Liverpool signing Arthur Melo is not the answer for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

The Reds continue to be lacking a handful of midfield alternatives this season, therefore the Brazil international has transferred from Serie A team Juventus to Anfield on a season-long loan agreement.

Arthur melo (photo by Getty images)

Although Klopp had previously insisted that he was satisfied with the “size and strength” of his squad, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Thiago Alcantara, and Jordan Henderson are currently all out with respective injuries.

As a result, the German manager entered the market but opted for a temporary transfer rather than a permanent one.

With Jude Bellingham expected to move to Merseyside next season, the former Borussia Dortmund manager recently stated that he will only make a move for the “right” player this summer.

Now, Carragher has questioned the signing of former Barcelona midfielder Arthur.

“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,” Carragher told Sky Sports (as quoted by Sports Joe).

“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.”

No one is claiming that Arthur was the club’s top choice, but as a seasoned international midfielder, a loan move makes sense for all parties.

The Brazilian will seek consistent playing time as the Qatar World Cup approaches at the end of the year to increase his chances of competing there.

In other news, (VIDEO) Watch: Liverpool’s new signing Arthur Melo in action and what he will bring to Anfield