Trent Alexander-Arnold will have his hands full against Manchester City, but it will be important that he is at his best both defensively and and in the game. his role as a playmaker Photo: Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Liverpool's last visit to Manchester City marked a turning point in Jurgen Klopp's reign and the career of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Klopp knew before the defeat with 4-1 in April that his team will undergo fundamental changes this summer. But it was the immediate tactical change after defeat that marked the beginning of Anfield's renaissance.
The sobering afternoon in Manchester marked the last time Alexander-Arnold played as a right-back. The following weekend — a 2-2 draw with Arsenal — a «hybrid role» was introduced, with the defender regularly moving into midfield when Liverpool are in possession, replicating what Pep Guardiola had previously done with João Cancelo.< /p>
Liverpool's «Trent System» was actually conceived in Manchester. The team's recovery since then speaks for itself and explains why they return to the Etihad with such high hopes.
Liverpool have lost just one of their 23 Premier League games since losing to City, and it was not legal The defeat, given the trip to Tottenham Hotspur, included a legal goal from Luis Diaz that was disallowed due to controversy.
Facing City with Trent in a position Guardiola has since abandoned (he uses John Stones as a 'hybrid centre-back' whenever he can at present) represents the ultimate test of whether Klopp has found an answer to the recurring question; how to maximize Alexander-Arnold's attacking strength without exposing defensive weaknesses.
The signs and results of the last seven months have been encouraging. For his club, what initially looked like a compromise has become a permanent solution.
Is Trent a defender or a midfielder? For Liverpool he is both, but that comes with a huge responsibility, especially against opponents like City.
For his country, Alexander-Arnold's days as a right-back appear to be over. When Gareth Southgate names him in his team, he is listed as a midfielder rather than a defender.
I suspect the player prefers it that way, with hints that he would prefer to see his dual role end. His comments while playing for the national team were amazing.
“My particular skill set and what I’m best at is playing center,” he said. “Perhaps you will get more benefit from me being in the middle, and I will be able to demonstrate this skill set to the maximum.”
It's clear. What other playmaker in the world should play from midfield with the ball, and without it, chase fast left wingers? Whether he faces Jeremy Docou or Jack Grealish on Saturday, the anticipation for Alexander-Arnold to play at both ends of the pitch is huge. It's hard enough to do one world-class job against City, let alone two.
Southgate has demonstrated his foresight by identifying this a few years ago and was initially criticized for using Alexander-Arnold as a midfielder. Although England did not play very well against Malta and North Macedonia, there was a lot of good in Alexander-Arnold's performance, especially in the first game. An exciting, balanced midfield trio of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Alexander-Arnold could take the national team closer to victory at Euro 2024. They would be my first choice.
Alexander-Arnold is one of Jamie Carragher's top three midfielders to start for England England at Euro 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Carl Recine
Klopp, however, remains convinced his vice-captain is best at right-back, and the signing of four midfielders last summer proves he is unmoved by suggestions that Alexander-Arnold was a ready-made solution during his recruitment changes at the center last summer.< /p>
No one knows the player better than the Liverpool manager, and there is no arguing with the overall influence. Whatever Klopp's short and long-term plans for the team, Alexander-Arnold is fundamental.
He is one of Klopp's «untouchables» along with Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, and is one of the main reasons why Liverpool recovered so quickly from last season's decline.
His talent has never been greater wasn't a problem; making sure his right leg weapon is talked about more before and after the biggest games than his one-on-one defense shortcomings.
Wherever Alexander-Arnold plays, he will have an impact on most Premier League teams, especially when Liverpool dominate the ball. Whether he spends most of his time on the right, delivering pinpoint crosses, or playing more centrally and using his vast arsenal of passing skills, he is one of the most technically gifted players in Europe.
Where Klopp and his team The tactical challenge facing the coaching staff against a City team is maintaining the right balance between Trent's attacking and defensive responsibilities. What worries me is that even on the weaker sides it was wrong.
Liverpool's last away game in the Premier League was against Luton Town when they were lucky enough to go away draw. Luton's best player on the day was Chiedozie Ogbene, who was ordered to attack the space on Liverpool's left from the opening whistle.
This remains a theme — a simple strategy for opposing coaches to identify weaknesses that can be exploited, especially on counter-attacks. With Ibrahima Konate playing at centre-back, Klopp has someone capable of covering Alexander-Arnold's midfield position, but it remains an imperfect solution. Liverpool's away form has been poor so far, in stark contrast to their 100 per cent success rate at Anfield.
Guardiola will pay special attention to this. It is no coincidence that Grealish had one of his best games in a Manchester City shirt against Liverpool in April, enjoying the space and time he was given on the left flank as he got the better of Alexander-Arnold in one-on-one duels. Doku, meanwhile, is one of the Premier League's in-form players and will enjoy being isolated from the backline.
Most coaches who visit the Etihad prefer to remain cautious. This is not Klopp's way. He rarely, if ever, compromises when playing on the front foot, standing or falling, to guide his attacking principles. This is what makes this match one of the most exciting in world football and a guarantee of goals when both teams are on form. Klopp and Guardiola always believe that their team's strengths in attack will compensate for any perceived weaknesses.
Liverpool currently have more weaknesses to hide, so although they face City again as opponents for the title, more convincing evidence needs to be made to prove it. they will be able to maintain the momentum as in previous years.
At the end of last season there was a 22-point gap between the clubs. Expecting Liverpool to close it out and become champions a year later is quite ambitious. Guardiola's team is still in first gear, but everyone else is catching up.
City pose a major test for a team on an upward trajectory. We will soon have the most accurate assessment of the progress of Liverpool and their 'Trent System'.
Свежие комментарии