Trent Alexander-Arnold

[SB]

It’s the inconsistency now that’s so frustrating. He’s been much better defensively this season for the most part but then throws out games like Sunday where he looks so disinterested and stops doing the basics. He’s all over the place and can be ridiculously good one game then not bother the next, it’s all mental with him. Maybe he’s one of these players that can’t keep motivated once they’ve won a few things. He doesn’t have that drive to keep going.

I’m also over the floating around in some games. It’s not as much this season but the balance looks so much better when he’s on the right or a bit narrow but still in that area only. I’d be nice to see him get into trophies crossing positions more often as he’d set up plenty of goals again with those.

I do wonder if Slot had the chance to rebuild the fullback positions, which it looks like he will next season, what type of fullback he’d go for. Realistically only one of the current lot would be a major part of next seasons team. You’d think one of Robertson or Timi will go and the other will be a backup to a new leftback.

Sell him to Spurs then.

[BG1973]

It may be subjective and biased on my part, I just think in the Hybrid role and so far this season there are times when he is to directly to blame for pressure on our defence and ultimately goals.

I was at the Arsenal game in ‘23 when he got stuck in and got the crowd going. More of that please!

I was also at the Chelsea game in January, Bradley played, & I was like wow, that’s what playing with a proper RB is like. For all Trent’s world class potential, he has been shown up defensively by a kid from Castlederg.


On Sunday, we looked more balanced and a bigger threat after he came on too.

Thing with Trent is he now gets targeted so it's a bit chicken and egg. Not an excuse for his body language in the game but might be why we looked more balanced when he went off. Maybe they spread their play more.

[Cerbie]

Thing with Trent is he now gets targeted so it's a bit chicken and egg. Not an excuse for his body language in the game but might be why we looked more balanced when he went off. Maybe they spread their play more.

It’s a valid point. Other teams target him because the defence on our right is a proven weakness, be that as a consequence of our style of play or individuals ability.

I wonder if we switched Virgil to the right CB, would that help?

[Norbs]

I swear John Barnes is Bender (late version, not the version that was legendarily late).

The poster called John Barnes is the one that was called Bender, but he was also renowned for being late

[BG1973]

It’s a valid point. Other teams target him because the defence on our right is a proven weakness, be that as a consequence of our style of play or individuals ability.

I wonder if we switched Virgil to the right CB, would that help?

I think Konate does a good job tbh. I'd say the issue is more that Salah doesn't offer much help when he is targeted.

Looking at overall performances this season nor should he as it's more opportunities for him to take advantage of the space left by the opposition.. and ironically trent is the player to find him.

So overall I think trent has done really well this season.. and Sunday was a blip. Let's see how he responds in the next game to see if there is now a major issue.

[dom9]

The poster called John Barnes is the one that was called Bender, but he was also renowned for being late

Well, well, well

Welcome back Bender.

[Paul12]

I think Konate does a good job tbh. I'd say the issue is more that Salah doesn't offer much help when he is targeted. ... .

Our right hand side IS defensively weak usn't it...a right back who is much better going forward and a 'right winger' who doesn't track back. Normally with such a situation the answer is a back three and wingbacks or change out one of the players, rather than allow such a weakness to persist.

[rudedog]

Our right hand side IS defensively weak usn't it...a right back who is much better going forward and a 'right winger' who doesn't track back. Normally with such a situation the answer is a back three and wingbacks or change out one of the players, rather than allow such a weakness to persist.

And we have somehow managed to fluke our way to the top of the domestic and European leagues with this weakness

[BG1973]

Exactly.

[peterbread]

Our right hand side IS defensively weak usn't it...a right back who is much better going forward and a 'right winger' who doesn't track back. Normally with such a situation the answer is a back three and wingbacks or change out one of the players, rather than allow such a weakness to persist.

Salah is clearly being instructed to not track back and work as much defensively in games this season and it’s allowing him to excel in attack.

The midfield is coming over to help out for him and it’s worked brilliantly all season. The team still has an excellent defensive record but it has dropped a bit from the start of the season.

That defensive record to start the season would have been great to keep up but wasn’t necessarily a realistic rate when you have to start to rotate more and players pick up injuries and teams adjusted to how the team was set up.

I’ll defend Trent here and say he was looking very good defensively earlier and it was a big improvement on previous seasons. Konate getting injured is when things started to drop off again.

[frank the tank]

Gomez injured is a balls as well but Konate was immense until he got crocked

If Ibou and Virgil can stay fit, then we have a huge chance of a brilliant season

[baitman]

Our right hand side IS defensively weak usn't it...a right back who is much better going forward and a 'right winger' who doesn't track back. Normally with such a situation the answer is a back three and wingbacks or change out one of the players, rather than allow such a weakness to persist.

Also, having Jones there instead of slobz is another minus point.

[rudedog]

Also, having Jones there instead of slobz is another minus point.

Yeah that’s a really good point, Jones just didn’t ever get going on Sunday - didn’t affect the game in any meaningful way.

[John Barnes]

I swear John Barnes is Bender (late version, not the version that was legendarily late).

The poster called John Barnes is the one that was called Bender, but he was also renowned for being late

Well, well, well

Welcome back Bender.

That's my cover blown...I've been compromised
Hello Dom: handshake:

[dom9]

That's my cover blown...I've been compromised
Hello Dom: handshake: