Topic: Trent Alexander-Arnold

[Clint Eastwood]

I think it's a real possibility that he goes to Madrid in the summer, I'm afraid. There are so many reasons why a player like him, at this stage of his career, would strongly consider the move if they came calling. They're in a great place right now with their squad full to the brim with Europe's best and are guaranteed trophies. His mate, Bellingham, has become a superstar immediately and will no doubt be in his ear talking about how good it is. I also wonder if he feels that he hasn't had the respect he deserves during his time here. Despite his brilliance, he's always had a cloud over him because of his defensive deficiencies and even if he played RB for Madrid, he'd have far less to do defensively because of how they dominate games. Finally - he's got a year left on his contract, his next will be committing his peak years, he's won everything with the club, and the manager - one of the best in our generation - is leaving and likely being replaced by a relatively unknown entity, to start another rebuild less than a year after the last one began.

You can see why it would be a highly attractive move for him. The only thing keeping him here would be loyalty and maybe a promise that he'll play in midfield for Slot. If he turns them down, fair play.

We should probably be prepared for a saga this summer. Klopp's departure has overshadowed issues like this but it's feeling potentially quite 'Gerrard to Chelsea in 2005' to me.

[Zlen]

So what if he goes?
They are all footballers, by definition they are replaceable. It’s a job, he can choose his path. We’ll be fine.

[Clint Eastwood]

So what if he goes?
They are all footballers, by definition they are replaceable. It’s a job, he can choose his path. We’ll be fine.

It would be a huge loss. One of they few truly world class players left in the squad.

[Draex]

It would be a huge loss. One of they few truly world class players left in the squad.

He’s world class on the ball but certainly not off it, is it good enough? Not for me, we looked a much better team with Bradley playing.

Trent, Szobo and Salah on our right side is so weak defensively, and once you start pushing Trent further and further back we lose all his ability on the ball and end up in endless loops of slow passes ending wide with Diaz or Robbo to cross to a grock.

He’s turned into a highlights reel player, delivers world class passes through the game but the general play is so lacking, at least once a game he gets ghosted past by an average winger like he’s not there, Bradley wins those duels and sets off on a counter.

It’s not all on Trent either, when he plays so many players pass on responsibility to him to do something, when he’s out they step up themselves. Such one dimensional play eventually, he can’t carry the entire creative responsibility himself.

[Zlen]

It would be a huge loss. One of they few truly world class players left in the squad.

A loss - yes, but nothing that couldn't be managed. In any case if he wishes to go - this is the summer to do it. Make it a full rebuild, let everyone go who isn't 110% commited and start without any baggage. I wouldn't hold it against him, their careers are short and can end at any time with a bad tackle. If he chooses to stay though, we must find a more suitable slot for him because he is costing us at right back. We'll see. I'm pretty chill about any of these players with year left, they can all be replaced.

[Bennett]

Zero idea where his best position is anymore. The more Doucoure (?) walked through him in one counter in the second half was an embarrassment. But a manager worth his salt finds a way of mitigating his weaknesses and selling him also sends the absolute wrong impression. Integral he stays - more so than Salah and even van Dijk.

[Nick110581]

I think it's a real possibility that he goes to Madrid in the summer, I'm afraid. There are so many reasons why a player like him, at this stage of his career, would strongly consider the move if they came calling. They're in a great place right now with their squad full to the brim with Europe's best and are guaranteed trophies. His mate, Bellingham, has become a superstar immediately and will no doubt be in his ear talking about how good it is. I also wonder if he feels that he hasn't had the respect he deserves during his time here. Despite his brilliance, he's always had a cloud over him because of his defensive deficiencies and even if he played RB for Madrid, he'd have far less to do defensively because of how they dominate games. Finally - he's got a year left on his contract, his next will be committing his peak years, he's won everything with the club, and the manager - one of the best in our generation - is leaving and likely being replaced by a relatively unknown entity, to start another rebuild less than a year after the last one began.

You can see why it would be a highly attractive move for him. The only thing keeping him here would be loyalty and maybe a promise that he'll play in midfield for Slot. If he turns them down, fair play.

We should probably be prepared for a saga this summer. Klopp's departure has overshadowed issues like this but it's feeling potentially quite 'Gerrard to Chelsea in 2005' to me.

He looked devastated last night to be fair.

I think he will stay and be the face of new Liverpool but we have to decide on him being a full back or midfielder. The hybrid thing doesn’t really work with our personnel.

If he goes to Madrid then he will be a right back and he has talked openly about not wanting to do that anymore.

[Clint Eastwood]

He has to be a midfielder, for me. It seems Arne Slot prefers a 4-2-3-1, so the right of a double-pivot seems a good choice for him. Some freedom without the defensive responsibility or positional discipline of a 6.

[rocco]

Thought he was poor with his attempt with a header to clear the ball for the first goal and fell a sleep on the second .
Talking about his passing been great  , at times I though it was poor .

Disappointed with his performance to be honest , so much better than last night

[killer-heels]

Madness to consider letting him go. He is our only world class player under 30.

[WorldChampions]

He looked devastated last night to be fair.

I think he will stay and be the face of new Liverpool but we have to decide on him being a full back or midfielder. The hybrid thing doesn’t really work with our personnel.

If he goes to Madrid then he will be a right back and he has talked openly about not wanting to do that anymore.

I'm sure he would swallow it if we were winning trophies and he could see better creativity ahead of him further up the pitch.

[kloppismydad]

Zero idea where his best position is anymore. The more Doucoure (?) walked through him in one counter in the second half was an embarrassment. But a manager worth his salt finds a way of mitigating his weaknesses and selling him also sends the absolute wrong impression. Integral he stays - more so than Salah and even van Dijk.

This. 100% this.

Talks of selling him are madness. Dare I say it, but the experiments with his role haven't paid off (yes, I'm aware of the win % stats) and he somehow seems stuck. Doesn't help we've got an aging winger on his side of the pitch.

[rocco]

Madness to consider letting him go. He is our only world class player under 30.

Can’t see him been sold , up to the next manager to get the best out of him and in the right position on the pitch

[jepovic]

I'm sure he would swallow it if we were winning trophies and he could see better creativity ahead of him further up the pitch.

Thats not the mindset a vice captain or any top player should have though. He should be lifting the team, not going down with it.

I hope a manager change will rejuvenate him, because he has some fantastic capabilities.

[Jookie]

He’s the most talented, most experienced and most important player we have in the squad who is under 30.

Imperative we sign him to a new deal. Also imperative a new manager decides on the role he has in the team going forward. Feels like it could be one of the key factors to consider for any new manager this summer.

Selling him this summer would be completely the wrong thing to do

[Legs]

Madness to consider letting him go. He is our only world class player under 30.

Macallister might have something to say about that.

I dont think we'll let him go but if he doesnt sign a new deal then wecmight not have a choice.

[PatriotScouser]

Only two positions to my mind he can now play in for us.

Either in midfield as part of a pivot in a 4231 formation (never as an 8 in a 3) or as a right back who does NOT invert.

Simply this invert experiment has failed.

[Andar]

I hope Slot picks the RB based on quality alone and not the name. If he does then Bradley deserves to be the RB next season.

It is then up to Trent to find that hunger he had for defending when he first came into the team in 2017. That fresh faced boy was hungry and defended every action with all his heart. No airs and graces but as time has gone on, that has changed.

Quite sad to see that fire inside him not present anymore. It's been like this for a few years now. The intensity Bradley defends with is what Trent used to be. At what point did he decide he was above giving that sort of intensity towards defending? For the first few years it certainly wasn't an issue.

And he shouldn't be moved to CM because the same issues will be apparent in the middle.

He also needs to tone down the Hollywood balls. Think he's been watching too many compilations of Gerrard. One or two otherworldly passes in a game doesn't make a performance and then mean that you can neglect the rest of your game. The same applied for Gerrard and the same applies to him.

He needs to have a word with himself and find the hunger he had for defending when he first came into the team as a young boy. The lad who had everything to prove and was trying to make it. If he can't remember too well then he can look close by at Bradley and remind himself of what he used to be. Bradley would also be wise to look at Trent and take a note of how to never end up with such a mighty opinion of yourself, that defending with all your heart isn't a prerequisite anymore.

[Nin]

Madness to consider letting him go. He is our only world class player under 30.

He's not world class at RB

[Nick110581]

He's not world class at RB

😂

He literally reinvented the position.

[BCCC]

Massive conundrum for our new manager. Bradley will be RB so it's about where on the pitch he plays to get on the ball. His ability to change the play from deep comes with the risk of his ability to win the ball, higher up the pitch his options to change the play reduce but less liable in the tackle.

[Rich]

He doesn't want to play RB though. Truth is, he doesn't seem to want to do anything unless the ball is at his feet.

The whole experiment has killed the balance in the team.

[Nin]

😂

He literally reinvented the position.

Not taking away how good he is on the ball and past seasons he was obviously brilliant and world class in that system. But the defensive side of the game has been a debate for a few seasons now. I would consider playing him much further up the pitch, are we actually getting the best out of him at RB anymore? Seems a real waste to me when we have the likes of Szoboslai contributing next to nothing.

[na fir dearg]

Does he have some problem in heading the ball? It's like he can't get off the ground, terrible on both goals but not a surprise

[jepovic]

Massive conundrum for our new manager. Bradley will be RB so it's about where on the pitch he plays to get on the ball. His ability to change the play from deep comes with the risk of his ability to win the ball, higher up the pitch his options to change the play reduce but less liable in the tackle.

There's also massive untapped potential in Trent, probably more than in any of our players (although I feel a bit like that with Nunez and Szobo too).

[Black Bull Nova]

I can see Bradley and Trent in the same team, that way we get a right back

[wheresnemeth]

Where does the Madrid rumour come from and where would they play him.

[Nick110581]

Where does the Madrid rumour come from and where would they play him.

No rumour other than him being mates with Bellingham.

[Kopenhagen]

No rumour other than him being mates with Bellingham.

Tap In reported that Real Madrid were monitoring his contract situation a month ago.

[Wool]

The more you watch the Calvert Lewis goal back the more pathetic his ‘defending’ gets: https://x.com/imrulgazi/status/1783442398296563879?s=46

That’s shocking stuff in any game, never mind a derby.

[AndyMuller]

The more you watch the Calvert Lewis goal back the more pathetic his ‘defending’ gets: https://x.com/imrulgazi/status/1783442398296563879?s=46

That’s shocking stuff in any game, never mind a derby.

Fucking hell.

[bornandbRED]

It looks bad but I assume he didn’t jump as it’s not his zone and perhaps he doesn’t realise VVD is blocked (he was going for it but blocked by Tarkowski).

I think the missed header for the first goal is worse

[Jookie]

Macallister might have something to say about that.

I dont think we'll let him go but if he doesnt sign a new deal then wecmight not have a choice.

MacAllister isn’t world class by my definition ( i.e. within best 2-3 players in your position in the World).

Trent  is definitely in best 2-3 right backs in the World. Is MacAllister in top 2-3 No 6’s or top 4-6 No8’s in Workd football?

MacAllister is a very good player but for me the argument that Trent is the only WC player we have under 30 is a valid one.

[The WASP]

He was shocking last night but not alone. Really disappointed with him and Curtis and you could see it hit them on the bench when they'd been subbed. The previous 2 games however he was excellent and is just back from injury.

I'm not a huge fan of the introverted stuff as I think it slows us down but still better to keep him there rather than in midfield where you would lose a midfield player rather than a right back. That may depend on Bradley's progression and Arne's thinking. Needless to say he has to sign a contract this Summer and I think he does along with Virg.

[NickoH]

Trent  is definitely in best 2-3 right backs in the World.

How do you work that one out?

[The25thofmay]

Hi attitude to defending is nothing short of disgusting. He can do it , I've seen him have some really good games defensively, but he just cant be bothered. "I'm Trent Alexander Arnold, did you see the goal I scored against Fulham last week? Did you see that pass I made in the first half? What? You want me to defend too?? ME?? try and win a 50 50?? Jump and compete for headers?? Not let people walk past me like I'm not there?? Not switch off every other game and let someone in at the back post?? Ha ha, funny, I'm Trent Alexander Arnold..." Should never be allowed to play right back ever again!

[A-Bomb]

Hi attitude to defending is nothing short of disgusting. He can do it , I've seen him have some really good games defensively, but he just cant be bothered. "I'm Trent Alexander Arnold, did you see the goal I scored against Fulham last week? Did you see that pass I made in the first half? What? You want me to defend too?? ME?? try and win a 50 50?? Jump and compete for headers?? Not let people walk past me like I'm not there?? Not switch off every other game and let someone in at the back post?? Ha ha, funny, I'm Trent Alexander Arnold..." Should never be allowed to play right back ever again!

Hows the blood pressure fella? 

[Jookie]

How do you work that one out?

Who’s been a better and more influential right back in World football over the last 3-5 seasons?

[Jayo10]

MacAllister isn’t world class by my definition ( i.e. within best 2-3 players in your position in the World).

Trent  is definitely in best 2-3 right backs in the World. Is MacAllister in top 2-3 No 6’s or top 4-6 No8’s in Workd football?

MacAllister is a very good player but for me the argument that Trent is the only WC player we have under 30 is a valid one.

How can you claim a guy who either cannot (or rather doesn't want to) defend is one of the best RBs in the world?

He's stuck between 2 stools, not good enough to be a midfielder, and not aggressive enough to be a defender.

He only worked in our system for a few years, now he's like a quarter back in his hybrid role, when he has space in front of him and the ball at his feet his passing is first class. But out of possession he is shocking.

Like a lad who has listened to too much praise of himself. These inverted full backs need to be able to play, but defending is the bread and butter. If he can't do it, then he needs some fucking intensive coaching. If he doesn't want to do it, then he needs a rocket up his arse.

It's gone on too long now, remember the final in Paris when he let Vini Jr nip in behind him? The lad has zero defensive instincts, or notions about what to do out of possession.

It used to be only really top sides that exploited this, but now he's getting done by mediocre teams.

And Madrid ain't buying him, they will squeeze him to leave for nothing next summer if they want him, and he would be perfect for them.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

How can you claim a guy who either cannot (or rather doesn't want to) defend is one of the best RBs in the world?

He's stuck between 2 stools, not good enough to be a midfielder, and not aggressive enough to be a defender.

He only worked in our system for a few years, now he's like a quarter back in his hybrid role, when he has space in front of him and the ball at his feet his passing is first class. But out of possession he is shocking.

Like a lad who has listened to too much praise of himself. These inverted full backs need to be able to play, but defending is the bread and butter. If he can't do it, then he needs some fucking intensive coaching. If he doesn't want to do it, then he needs a rocket up his arse.

It's gone on too long now, remember the final in Paris when he let Vini Jr nip in behind him? The lad has zero defensive instincts, or notions about what to do out of possession.

It used to be only really top sides that exploited this, but now he's getting done by mediocre teams.

And Madrid ain't buying him, they will squeeze him to leave for nothing next summer if they want him, and he would be perfect for them.

So a player who would be perfect for Real Madrid isn't good enough for us? Is that what you're saying?