Topic: Trent Alexander-Arnold

[Sangria]

I am not sure about it being where your creativity comes from but more about creating a system that creates space for your creative players. Initially your creative players played in the inside forward position because that was where the space was. Then teams went to a flat back four that nullified that space. So your creative player played as a ten because a flat defensive system left a void in between defence and attack.

Then teams brought in holding mids which nullified the ten space but that then created space in the wider mid areas best exemplified by the likes of DeBruyne.

Now teams look to press and push the full backs up which has two results firstly it closes down the space the wide midfield players operate in, it also means your full backs are up against offensively minded players. You create passing traps when you press hoping to isolate the full backs because they have less pitch to work with. For me the full back position will become one of the key positions on the pitch.

Until the better coaches find another system and another way to create space for their creative players.

And the great thing about passing traps is that they concentrate on the short and middle range, as most teams will either pass in that distance or hoick it long and aimlessly. Which leaves the far distance free for Trent's flat and accurate switches.

Seriously, opposition teams are probably at their most vulnerable when they try to push up and push on Trent. One recurring pattern of our play is to play the ball around in the middle and right until Trent is afforded some space to look up and make play.

[Eeyore]

When Southgate tried him in midfield he didn't look comfortable (although he's yet to get close to his Liverpool form for England in any position - good lad!!).

For the next five years, unless Klopp changes his style of play, then he'll likely have more creative potential as a right-back than a midfielder.  The right sided of our midfield three is generally tasked with the conservative role of doing the heavy lifting on our right that Salah is largely excused from.

Somebody mentioned it pages and pages ago that Beckham is a good case study.  Hugely influential and effective as a wide player but always wanted to play central.  Whenever he did he looked a shadow of himself.

For Beckham add in Gerrard.

The interesting thing is who they grew up idolising. Beckham came through at Spurs and wanted to sit in front of the back four and spray the ball about like Hoddle did. Gerrard's idol was Bryan Robson and he wanted to be a box to box dynamic midfield player.

Luckily the had strong managers who knew better.

[Eeyore]

And the great thing about passing traps is that they concentrate on the short and middle range, as most teams will either pass in that distance or hoick it long and aimlessly. Which leaves the far distance free for Trent's flat and accurate switches.

Seriously, opposition teams are probably at their most vulnerable when they try to push up and push on Trent. One recurring pattern of our play is to play the ball around in the middle and right until Trent is afforded some space to look up and make play.

It is very reminiscent of how Ped used Alonso at Bayern.

Suck teams in like a matador with a bull and then go for the long switch. Ironically probably the biggest miss for City this season has been Sane the player they wanted to get rid off. The player who refuses to get involved, plays with chalk on his boots and stretches teams. That is what they have missed for me this season.

With Trent what do you do drop off and allow him to whip the ball in to dangerous areas from high up the pitch. Or do you press and allow him to switch the play and get Robbo on the run.

[Sangria]

It is very reminiscent of how Ped used Alonso at Bayern.

Suck teams in like a matador with a bull and then go for the long switch. Ironically probably the biggest miss for City this season has been Sane the player they wanted to get rid off. The player who refuses to get involved, plays with chalk on his boots and stretches teams. That is what they have missed for me this season.

With Trent what do you do drop off and allow him to whip the ball in to dangerous areas from high up the pitch. Or do you press and allow him to switch the play and get Robbo on the run.

Sitting deep to nullify Robertson is by far the lesser evil of the two. If you try to pressurise Trent's space, it opens up the rest of the pitch to Robertson and our quick forwards. If you sit deep and allow Trent to pick his spot, the spot he picks will still be attacked by our small forwards. Trent is a threat either way, but the first plays to our other strengths, while the second does not. Unless of course it's a set piece that allows our CBs to attack the ball.

[Eeyore]

Sitting deep to nullify Robertson is by far the lesser evil of the two. If you try to pressurise Trent's space, it opens up the rest of the pitch to Robertson and our quick forwards. If you sit deep and allow Trent to pick his spot, the spot he picks will still be attacked by our small forwards. Trent is a threat either way, but the first plays to our other strengths, while the second does not. Unless of course it's a set piece that allows our CBs to attack the ball.

I think you have highlighted one of the secrets of our system though. Sitting deep and stopping Robbo's rampaging runs seems fine at first but the Achilles heel is that you allow Mane to push up one on one on your full back. Which means Mane will just stand still, suck you in and then burn you for acceleration.

Same on the other side defend deep on Mo to stop him running in behind and you offer Trent space. Push up on Trent and you give Mo space. How about shuffling across so you can press both of them. Job done ?

Unfortunately not, Trent just hits a long diagonal and suddenly it is Robbo and Mane ripping you apart. 

[Sangria]

I think you have highlighted one of the secrets of our system though. Sitting deep and stopping Robbo's rampaging runs seems fine at first but the Achilles heel is that you allow Mane to push up one on one on your full back. Which means Mane will just stand still, suck you in and then burn you for acceleration.

Same on the other side defend deep on Mo to stop him running in behind and you offer Trent space. Push up on Trent and you give Mo space. How about shuffling across so you can press both of them. Job done ?

Unfortunately not, Trent just hits a long diagonal and suddenly it is Robbo and Mane ripping you apart. 

The thing is, I'm not even sure that's our plan A. I think our plan A is the more orthodox progression through the middle through our progressive CMs, Ox and Keita. Unfortunately, they've both been injured and recovering, so we've turned to what I think is our plan B, which is attacking the flanks with our FBs. It's just that this plan B is so bloody effective due to the quality of our attacking FBs combining with our quick forwards. Plan C is our CBs attacking our set pieces. Trent to Van Dijk is one hell of a plan C.

[macmanamanaman]

Trent has gone from being under rated to over rated in double quick time.

He is very good.
But not very very very good.
Yet.

Give it a few years, eh?
Lets just let the boy play, and get on with it.

[aggerdid]

Been a few occasions now when subbing trent on has felt to me at least like it used to feel when we stuck a striker on. The trust we have in him to deliver and yet hes only 20. 19 league assists in 6000 minutes. Marcelo has 50 in 28000 in la liga

[Golyo]

Trent has gone from being under rated to over rated in double quick time.

He is very good.
But not very very very good.

Define 'very very very good'! He is probably the best right-back in the world, and he is 21.

[Morgana]

Firmino owes this guy about a dozen assists. That ball over the top in the first minute... How did Bobby miss that? Trent is something else.

[Morgana]

[The 1989 Brit Awards]

Trent has gone from being under rated to over rated in double quick time.

He is very good.
But not very very very good.
Yet.

Give it a few years, eh?
Lets just let the boy play, and get on with it.

He's Matthäus and Beckenbauer rolled into one

[macmanamanaman]

Caption:

Trent: "Hey Andy, show me yours. Just checking if us fullbacks get bigger medals than the others.... Should be at least twice the size, I reckon, based on our importance to this here team... "

[RedForeverTT]

For Beckham add in Gerrard.

The interesting thing is who they grew up idolising. Beckham came through at Spurs and wanted to sit in front of the back four and spray the ball about like Hoddle did. Gerrard's idol was Bryan Robson and he wanted to be a box to box dynamic midfield player.

Luckily the had strong managers who knew better.

Except when Gerrard played for England. Sven, Copello and McClaren was pissing around with Gerrard.

One minute on the left of midfield so that everyone else could play in their favourite position, then in the centre covering a piss-take Lampard who wandered off to do his own thing and on the right because Beckham wanted to play in the centre.

[PIPA23]

insane player we have here..

on his way to be best ever for this club imo.

[I've been a good boy]

Wow. Just wow.

[oxenstierna]

Hes ok

[SerbianScouser]

When Gerrard retired I thought it was gonna be decades and decades before we see a local talent on that level.

Turns out it was just few years instead...

[RobbieRedman]

Josimar!

[FiSh77]

Utter, utter filth

[Zlen]

Mentioning him in the midfield should get an instant two week ban. Boy is something never seen before.

[gamble]

immense, just a beautiful striker of the ball.

[dai_bonehead]

Mentioning him in the midfield should get an instant two week ban. Boy is something never seen before.

Generational talent. 

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Always said he was going to be Dani Alves. He can surpass him

[RobbieRedman]

[Lastrador]

Could see this bad mofo hitting a ball all day. Best fullback in the world.

[Chakan]

He’ll do for now

[rafathegaffa83]

Boss

[Linudden]

No words.

[Hazell]

Ridiculous.

[BazC]

He’s still underrated a bit. People keep comparing him to other fullbacks when he’s better than most attacking midfielders!

Astonishing footballer and a very unique talent.

[aw1991]

A right back who can pass like de Bruyne and finish like Lewandowski. Absolute legend in the making.

[Zoomers]

Hahahhaha

[groove]

What the actual fuck.

[DelTrotter]

The best right foot in the sport, his left is better than most too. He's going to end up with a chance to be the best we've ever had which is quite a feat.

[Shaneee.]

The scouser in our team

[Chris~]

3/4 more goals between now and the voting and he's winning player of the year.

[King Kenny 7]

Take a bow son 

[smurfinaus]

More assists and goals. Awesome player .He has the ball on a string. What a range of passing...

[Zoomers]

Hahahhaha