Liverpool star axed from Champions League squad despite his winning record against Real Madrid

Liverpool star Arthur Melo has been axed from the club’s Champions League squad.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are having a tumultuous season. The Reds are currently ninth in the Premier League, seven points from a top-four spot and 21 points adrift of table toppers Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are also out of both domestic cups and have been drawn against Real Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions League, in a repeat of last season’s final.

Indeed, Europe’s premier competition kicks back into gear this month, and the 16 clubs still involved have had to submit new squads for the knockout stages.

There has been much speculation regarding who would make Liverpool’s 25-man squad upon the January signing of Cody Gakpo, and the return from injury of Naby Keïta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Arthur Melo misses Champions League cut

According to Sporting News, Arthur and Calvin Ramsay have both missed out on Klopp’s Champions League squad.

The Juventus loanee has only played 13 minutes for Liverpool this term due to a severe thigh injury.

Yet Arthur has a winning record against Liverpool’s next Champions League opponents, unlike most Liverpool players.

During his time at Barcelona, the Brazilian played Los Blancos five times, winning three, claiming a draw and losing just one encounter against them.

Meanwhile, Ramsay has also been a victim of injuries, with the summer signing having only featured twice in the first team since signing from Aberdeen.

Elsewhere, Stefan Bajcetic is now on List B having been at the club for over two years. In turn, he is eligible for the Champions League squad as an under-21 player.

Furthermore, Luis Diaz has been retained despite his long-term injury absence. There is hope the winger can play a part in the latter stages of the Champions League.