Topic: Trent Alexander-Arnold

[NaivetyinBlack]

Forget the ten positions he's been asked to play in, the most alarming thing is his utter lack of concern when an attacker is running at him. Stands there and let's him pass. No effort.

[Crimson]

Wonder if he's playing with an injury? Never stretches for a block and seems casual when tracking back. When is Ramsay fit?

[NealFrom25Yards]

Still an immensely talented, technical player...but he doesn't even pretend to try defensively these days.

Sees an overlap happening - doesn't track it. Gets blown by for pace - throws his hands up. Sees an opposition counter unfolding - jogs back.

Not sure what the solution is at this point.

[Magz50]

He's playing so far forward by the time he gets back he has no legs left to try to defend. Happens time and time again.

[Clint Eastwood]

We've seen stretches like this from Trent before, everytime his England selection falls into question his form goes down the toilet.

But I also think Klopp doesn't protect him enough. He keeps throwing him out there when his form is down without any protection at all. Think today, our midfield (Fabinho in particular) could have dropped back more often into the centre of the backline so that Matip could go and cover Trent when he's upfield. We are obstinate in playing offensive football without first shoring up the back, meanwhile it's killing Trent's confidence.

Klopp's decision to bring Elliott on to play on the right side of midfield when Trent was getting cooked by whoever the fuck their left winger was, is an interesting one.

[Mister Flip Flop]

Incredibly worrying how bad he's been. Completely living off past performances now and doesn't look arsed half the time.

[NaivetyinBlack]

He's playing so far forward by the time he gets back he has no legs left to try to defend. Happens time and time again.

Doesn't explain his 1v1 brainfarts. He's just not bothered.

[AmanShah21]

Klopp's decision to bring Elliott on to play on the right side of midfield when Trent was getting cooked by whoever the fuck their left winger was, is an interesting one.

It wouldn't be a big deal if he was getting beat. The problem is him not tracking his runner or blocking the inside man and just standing in no-man's land so many times. Something's up with him because he's just not doing the basics anymore. I am sure Klopp will defend him in the media but I am sure he'll need sorting out behind the scenes because we can't keep playing like this. In all honesty, if that's what the expectation is of Trent now, then we need a back 3 because we dont have any real pace in midfield or defence at the minute.

[Caps4444]

Klopp did say that defensively he can improve. That was quite damming.

That tells me how bad he’s been defensively.

We got away with a lot on Trent’s side….should have brought Gomez on when we’re we’re leading.

[Haggis36]

Forget the ten positions he's been asked to play in, the most alarming thing is his utter lack of concern when an attacker is running at him. Stands there and let's him pass. No effort.

Not just then either. There were plenty of moments today even when we were in possession that he was just lazily ambling round the pitch.

We can argue if it's form or positioning or lack of defensive cover (it's all three) but his inclusion in the team is worth a goal a game (minimum) and it simply cannot go on. Not sure Gomez is the answer either, he's been poor this season as well. It's certainly not Henderson/Milner, and Ramsay is a kid coming back from injury who has no experience at this level.

Like just about every position in our squad, it's baffling squad planning.

[Lynndenberries]

He needs time out of the side. I know what he does for us going forward, but it’s just not worrying. Teams are scoring with ease, predominantly to his side, and it needs to be fixed. He’s not the sole issue to be fair, it’s just exhausting to see.

[Garlicbread]

I'm gonna say it again. Ever since he bulked up, he just looks so less mobile. That's just how I see it.

[Nick110581]

Take him out the side and get Gomez in

[El Lobo]

Take him out the side and get Gomez in

What would be the point? He’s obviously doing what he’s being asked to do, otherwise why would he keep getting played? If he was just wondering about the pitch without ‘permission’ he’d have been dropped already. So bring Gomez in to play it differently? Well fine…but then why not just tell Trent to go back to basics himself as a RB?

[Elzar]

What would be the point? He’s obviously doing what he’s being asked to do, otherwise why would he keep getting played? If he was just wondering about the pitch without ‘permission’ he’d have been dropped already. So bring Gomez in to play it differently? Well fine…but then why not just tell Trent to go back to basics himself as a RB?

Yeah, no way have we had 2 months of him popping up all over the place without it being instruction of some kind. I don’t remember the last time he had a full half of just keeping that width and finding crossing opportunity.

[HeartAndSoul]

What would be the point? He’s obviously doing what he’s being asked to do, otherwise why would he keep getting played? If he was just wondering about the pitch without ‘permission’ he’d have been dropped already. So bring Gomez in to play it differently? Well fine…but then why not just tell Trent to go back to basics himself as a RB?

Some players like Trent, VVD, Fabinho and Henderson are playing on the back of their performances over the last couple of years. If we brought in a new player in the summer and they were playing like some of those names listed above, the knives would be out to bench each and every single one of them so yes they’re playing out there pretty much based on past reputation at the moment and it doesn’t look like it’ll improve anytime soon either.

[Nick110581]

What would be the point? He’s obviously doing what he’s being asked to do, otherwise why would he keep getting played? If he was just wondering about the pitch without ‘permission’ he’d have been dropped already. So bring Gomez in to play it differently? Well fine…but then why not just tell Trent to go back to basics himself as a RB?

You could do that too but his confidence is shot and we have loads of football.

[Lynndenberries]

What would be the point? He’s obviously doing what he’s being asked to do, otherwise why would he keep getting played? If he was just wondering about the pitch without ‘permission’ he’d have been dropped already. So bring Gomez in to play it differently? Well fine…but then why not just tell Trent to go back to basics himself as a RB?

If that’s the case, then you have to question our tactics. We were as open in that first 20 minutes as we were against Napoli. I thought we were excellent against Ajax, much more compact and controlled in possession. Today though it was back to what we have seen all season.

[Chakan]

Playing like someone with zero competition to his spot

[Xanderzone]

We need fresh blood in CM...

He's an obvious weakness at RB...

Let's free him from defensive duties and allow him on the ball which is what he's made for.

[Hazell]

Klopp did say that defensively he can improve. That was quite damming.

That tells me how bad he’s been defensively.

We got away with a lot on Trent’s side….should have brought Gomez on when we’re we’re leading.

In yesterday's press conference? I watched that and it didn't seem damning at all, more a general comment about he's still young (he specifically mentioned his age) and can improve that side of his game.

[HarryLabrador]

What a weird comment.

Exactly. That really annoyed me. One can almost put that comment into the racist box.

[Thé_Ḓárk_P̌áşşéngér]

Exactly. That really annoyed me. One can almost put that comment into the racist box.

Be careful.

[naYoRHa2b]

Can't be a bad right back if you never play there to be fair.

[skipper757]

Keep his role the same and hope his and others' form improve.

Keep him at RB but give him a more conventional role.

Move him to midfield (probably as an 8 type; don't think he's ever played as a DM facing the press).

Need Ramsay back (and Konate too) for options.  Maybe Klopp will have something up his sleeve with regards to Trent.

[HarryLabrador]

Be careful.

That is why I used the adverb 'almost'.

[RedBec1993]

Why have I seen Trent’s hair mentioned. What the fuck. I can’t be arsed 🤣

[Xanderzone]

Can't be a bad right back if you never play there to be fair.

That's the whole point.

He's not even playing as a right back. He's basically a CM who's being asked to scramble back when the opposition attack us.

Bring a proper RB in and free him from this nonsense.

[Ravishing Rick Dude]

Exactly. That really annoyed me. One can almost put that comment into the racist box.

Bollocks. That haircut isn't practical. It's like Darwin or Virgil playing with their hair down.

During the match he should tie his hair or something.

[Garlicbread]

Why have I seen Trent’s hair mentioned. What the fuck. I can’t be arsed 🤣

The whole eleven should have short back and sides. Or buzzcuts. Nothing else is acceptable!

[Chakan]

Is this a step up from body language experts?

[Too early for flapjacks?]

I'm gonna say it again. Ever since he bulked up, he just looks so less mobile. That's just how I see it.

100% agree with this. He simply doesn't have the mobility to turn quickly and push off quickly to stay with the runner when it's needed so he has no option but to try and win the ball immediately. There is no reason for him to be as bulky as he is. Stop with the nonsense under water bench pressing and focus on agility, balance, and coordination.

[Butcher Knife Roberto]

What would be the point? He’s obviously doing what he’s being asked to do, otherwise why would he keep getting played? If he was just wondering about the pitch without ‘permission’ he’d have been dropped already. So bring Gomez in to play it differently? Well fine…but then why not just tell Trent to go back to basics himself as a RB?

This, 100%. Trent is either following specific instructions, which for the life of me I can't get my head around whatsoever, or he's truly an idiot living on past glories who can't decide where to play on the pitch and is just grifting a decent living because he knows he has no competition. My money is definitely not on the latter explanation.

[El Lobo]

If that’s the case, then you have to question our tactics. We were as open in that first 20 minutes as we were against Napoli. I thought we were excellent against Ajax, much more compact and controlled in possession. Today though it was back to what we have seen all season.

Well yeah. There’s no way he’s popping up in the positions he is without some sort of instruction or freedom to do so.

[number 168]

100% agree with this. He simply doesn't have the mobility to turn quickly and push off quickly to stay with the runner when it's needed so he has no option but to try and win the ball immediately. There is no reason for him to be as bulky as he is. Stop with the nonsense under water bench pressing and focus on agility, balance, and coordination.

He gets criticised for 'jogging back', I don't think he's got a sprint in him. He is as passionate about the club as we are so simply watching players get away from him isn't natural, he must have lost something when going for physique.

[Dim Glas]

Wonder if he's playing with an injury? Never stretches for a block and seems casual when tracking back. When is Ramsay fit?

I would doubt they’d let that happen.

He seems very lethergic though - he’s bulked up I think? He’s gone on from the athletic, agile kid, to this more stocky bulked up player, and he Just doens’t seem to have the mobility to play the game he’s been asked to play - the one he’s been very good at!

I fully expected him to do a defensive brain fart or two today too, sadly it happened!

[paddysour]

I feel so sorry for Trent. He's an incredible player but this system is hanging him out to dry. On top of the crap from Southgate it can't be pleasant to be him right now. Wish that free kick had gone in today.

[newterp]

I feel so sorry for Trent. He's an incredible player but this system is hanging him out to dry. On top of the crap from Southgate it can't be pleasant to be him right now. Wish that free kick had gone in today.

I don't think it's only the system. Trent has been very poor defensively in all situations the last 8 months.

[killer-heels]

The microscope, or should that be the big fucking telescope, is on him at the moment. The level of pressure he is under is incredible, being digged out by every knobhead neutral, England, Southgate and even some of our fans.

He needs to just get through the next 6 or 7 weeks, hopefully not get chosen for England so he can have a real break away from it all, more mentally rather than physically.

[newterp]

The microscope, or should that be the big fucking telescope, is on him at the moment. The level of pressure he is under is incredible, being digged out by every knobhead neutral, England, Southgate and even some of our fans.

He needs to just get through the next 6 or 7 weeks, hopefully not get chosen for England so he can have a real break away from it all, more mentally rather than physically.

He's making it easy to not be picked. And that could be a good thing for him and us.