Arthur spent the international break training and playing for Liverpool under-21s, and it was confirmed that the decision to do so was “at his own expense”.
While the rest of his first-team teammates embark on mid-season breaks or international assignments, Arthur spends the September break at the academy.
His name came as a surprise when the squad sheet was published for the Under-21s’ clash with Leicester on Saturday, lining up alongside Nat Phillips and Fabio Carvalho, and then followed up with an EFL Trophy start against Rochdale.
Those two outings saw Arthur log more than 150 minutes in just four days, as part of a regimen to ramp up his fitness and match acuity before rejoining the senior squad.
That, it turns out, came at the request of the deadline day signing, with Under-21 coach Barry Lewtas revealing how the Brazilian has given up any time off to ensure he is in the best possible shape.
“From what I’ve been told, Arthur asked to play,” Lewtas told The Athletic.
“He wants to get in shape, he doesn’t need a week off. It has been from his own back that shows his level of professionalism.
“He’s been great with the youngsters. I don’t think he knew where we were going to get tonight, but he knew we had a game!
“In yesterday’s training he was excellent. He really drove the session. It was probably the best matchday minus one we’ve ever had.”
Given Arthur’s pedigree, as a Brazilian international who has played for both Barcelona and Juventus, he could have been forgiven for seeing under-21 football below him.
But Lewtas insists that “he really has accepted it”, explaining that “you can tell by his body language that he wants to be around”.
“You see someone who does everything correctly,” he added. “You can tell why he is the professional that he is.”
Within The Athletic’s report of Arthur’s 63-minute performance against Rochdale, which saw Liverpool finally relent after Jay Spearing replaced him, is described as “all part of a special plan”.
Jurgen Klopp and his coaches are keen for their new No. 29 to get up to speed to contribute during a busy run of nine games in October alone, and this time “was always seen as key in terms of Arthur getting up to speed.”
Sources within the club are said to “firmly believe that the decision to bring him in on deadline day will be vindicated as the campaign progresses”.
