Liverpool U21s defeated Leicester U21s in a 1-0 win to secure three points in their Premier League 2 campaign yesterday. This game was highly talked about, not for the win, but for the players featured in the starting 11.
New midfield loan signing, Arthur Melo, was handed his first start in 129 days. He was joined by two other regulars in the main squad, Nathaniel Phillips and Fabio Carvalho. These three helped the talented U21s to increase their unbeaten run to five games with the win.
📋 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 – Arthur and Fabio Carvalho are among those starting for Liverpool U21s against Leicester this evening!
🔴 Davies; Mabaya, Jonas, Phillips, Chambers; Bajcetic, Cain, Arthur; Clark, Carvalho, Stewart pic.twitter.com/379itAat7k
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) September 17, 2022
Liverpool U21s head coach, Barry Lewtas, told Liverpool FC, “They’re top-level professionals. They add to our group as well, not just in terms of our performance but our young lads get to see what elite looks like.”
Much-needed Minutes For Arthur
Arthur has looked determined to find a way on the team sheet, after only playing 13 minutes so far this season. He knows he needs time to adjust to Liverpool’s system and is using this international break to do so.
Spanish journalist, Guillem Ballague said, “He decided to ignore days off to keep working as he knows he still has got [to] catch up with demands.
“He’s working on an individualised fitness plan to get him up to speed because he didn’t have a regular pre-season. Pretty standard stuff considering the lack of match fitness.”
🥈| Liverpool have no intention of terminating Arthur's loan in January, with coaching staff still assessing him and congratulating the midfielder on his understanding of the system and his quality.
He is working on an individualised plan to catch up. [@GuillemBalague] pic.twitter.com/Fd0pp2u12A
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) September 16, 2022
According to the Liverpool Echo, he will remain at the AXA Training Centre to continue his training programme to adjust to life in Liverpool.
Alongside Arthur, Carvalho also completed the full 90 as he continues his recovery from the injury he sustained during the Merseyside Derby. Nat Phillips played the full match as well after only featuring in the first team during a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.
Bright start for the U21s
Layton Stewart scored the only goal of the game to secure another three points for the youngsters. This win increases their unbeaten run to five games and helps them climb up to 6th in the Premier League 2.
