Trent Alexander-Arnold

[el matador]

Think the list of RBs/RWBs who could give the sort of assist return TAA has given us the past three or four seasons is a very short list.

He has gotten double figures in assists in the league alaon in three of the past four seasons and the season he did not get double figures in the league he still got 7 assists.

That is rarified air for a full back in any of the top two or three leagues tbh.

Reece James for example has managed 9 league assists once in the past four seasons and no better than 2 in any of the other ones.


Cancelo got seven once in the PL and 3 in a season is his next best tally.


Only guy that I think would be a close to like for like replacement for TAA on form would be Hakimi on form as the latter has managed a good assist output from RB/RWB (and plays in sort of a similar quarter back role to TAA ) on a regular basis in the Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1

I think I’m asking the question whether our fullbacks create so much because of the way we play (the way we push them up) rather than their own brilliance.

I think it’s the former in which case we can upgrade on Trent and it doesn’t have to be a superstar fullback. He just needs to have a similar skill set to Robbo and someone we can develop.

[Doc_Piptorious]

I think I’m asking the question whether our fullbacks create so much because of the way we play (the way we push them up) rather than their own brilliance.

I think it’s the former in which case we can upgrade on Trent and it doesn’t have to be a superstar fullback. He just needs to have a similar skill set to Robbo and someone we can develop.

I think there are few RBs in the game that could be dropped into our system and get a similar return to what TAA got in previous seasons.

The system/players around him helps of course, but a hell of a lot of how many assists he has gotten is done to his ability as well.

So what I was saying with my reply was that even with our system, it would take a special player to get similar numbers from RB.


I think with certain other RBs we might be a tad more solid in defence but that would come, imo, with less invention and a lower number of assists from the position.

Now there could be an arguement made that on current form TAA offers us less than that solid more defensive RB as he is not getting the assists going forward and not offering solidity when on the back foot.

Personally my take would be to strengthen the team in other positions first and see if the added quality and mobility helps TAA regain some of his past form.

[Angryred]

I think I’m asking the question whether our fullbacks create so much because of the way we play (the way we push them up) rather than their own brilliance.

I think it’s the former in which case we can upgrade on Trent and it doesn’t have to be a superstar fullback. He just needs to have a similar skill set to Robbo and someone we can develop.

Ramsey?...give him a go!

[Charly]

Kostas is our leading fullback in terns of assists this season.

[el matador]

Kostas is our leading fullback in terns of assists this season.

Exactly my point. Kostas is great but isn’t considered one of the worlds best fullbacks but he’s creating chances in our team.

It’s time to consider that maybe the system is what enables fullbacks to get such good numbers rather than their own brilliance. Hence I go back to the point that Trent even though is a terrific footballer is upgradeable at fullback and at 24 his defensive awareness is probably worse than ever.

[Fosterbloke]

TAA could be the next Beckham but for us perhaps?

[el matador]

TAA could be the next Beckham but for us perhaps?

That I definitely agree with. His feet are a little slow to play centre midfield but his passing, crossing and shooting are spectacular.

A switch to a back three would suit him but probably not anyone else.

[wiw]

Exactly my point. Kostas is great but isn’t considered one of the worlds best fullbacks but he’s creating chances in our team.

It’s time to consider that maybe the system is what enables fullbacks to get such good numbers rather than their own brilliance. Hence I go back to the point that Trent even though is a terrific footballer is upgradeable at fullback and at 24 his defensive awareness is probably worse than ever.

That I definitely agree with. His feet are a little slow to play centre midfield but his passing, crossing and shooting are spectacular.

A switch to a back three would suit him but probably not anyone else.

Where's he playing then? Or is he on the bench

[SB]

Where's he playing then? Or is he on the bench

RM if we play 343 or even in a 352 set up

[little dave hedgehog]

yes, what this side needs more of is roy evans

[Exiled_red]

yes, what this side needs more of is roy evans

[wiw]

RM if we play 343 or even in a 352 set up

We attack in this formation anyway? I don't see how putting an extra CB in is going to help. I don't know why everyone is so desperate to change things or move Trent - we've won literally every trophy available by having a functional midfield that carry the piano so that the forwards and fullbacks can play it - we have midfield fitness and injury problems this year and Trent's level has dropped - is that a big surprise given how we play? I'd say we can tweak things but we were talking about this Liverpool team as one of the best ever, if not the best - we know how to get the best out of Trent because we've already done it

yes, what this side needs more of is roy evans

[RedReet]

We attack in this formation anyway? I don't see how putting an extra CB in is going to help. I don't know why everyone is so desperate to change things or move Trent - we've won literally every trophy available by having a functional midfield that carry the piano so that the forwards and fullbacks can play it - we have midfield fitness and injury problems this year and Trent's level has dropped - is that a big surprise given how we play? I'd say we can tweak things but we were talking about this Liverpool team as one of the best ever, if not the best - we know how to get the best out of Trent because we've already done it

Was in the process of a Trent post when the FSG news broke.

As a team with Trent at RB, we've regularly had the best defence in the league, along with City. As an individual, he broke the world record for assists for a defender, beat that record again and then equaled his previous record. No other player has achieved this, so to suggest playing any other half decent player in that position and expect similar results or finding another position for Trent play in is just ridiculous imo.

Taking him out of the firing line for a bit or playing Joe there for some stability is okay as a very short term solution, but if we are to get back to our best, we need Trent at RB doing what he does best.

[frank the tank]

We attack in this formation anyway? I don't see how putting an extra CB in is going to help. I don't know why everyone is so desperate to change things or move Trent - we've won literally every trophy available by having a functional midfield that carry the piano so that the forwards and fullbacks can play it - we have midfield fitness and injury problems this year and Trent's level has dropped - is that a big surprise given how we play? I'd say we can tweak things but we were talking about this Liverpool team as one of the best ever, if not the best - we know how to get the best out of Trent because we've already done it

Agree to an extent but when we won every trophy going, then we had a lot more energy in the middle of the pitch. Fabinho was better. Henderson was better. Gini was there. Milner was a few years younger and could contribute more.

Now we have Thiago who can make it rain but in reality our midfield is easier to bypass and we are getting punished. In pretty much every single game.

So until we do change our personnel in the middle of the pitch, then it might make sense to play, say Virgil, Konate and Gomez as CBs....... With trent and robbo as essentially wingers.......

If our CBs spend most of the game camped on the half-way line anyway, then it might actually work out.

[Venton]

Agree to an extent but when we won every trophy going, then we had a lot more energy in the middle of the pitch. Fabinho was better. Henderson was better. Gini was there. Milner was a few years younger and could contribute more.

Now we have Thiago who can make it rain but in reality our midfield is easier to bypass and we are getting punished. In pretty much every single game.

So until we do change our personnel in the middle of the pitch, then it might make sense to play, say Virgil, Konate and Gomez as CBs....... With trent and robbo as essentially wingers.......

If our CBs spend most of the game camped on the half-way line anyway, then it might actually work out.

I think this is a big problem for us. A midfield of Fabinho, Henderson and Gini has a lot more legs than Fabinho, Thiago and Elliott. When you factor in the removal of the pressing monster that was Mane there's a lot less pressure on the opposition high up the pitch and exposes our defence much more which is part of why I think Trent is struggling.