Trent Alexander-Arnold, true to himself – Premier League – J20 – Liverpool-Manchester United (2-2)

27 lost balls, 73% successful passes, 0 duels won out of 5, these are the frightening statistics of Trent Alexander-Arnold during the northern England derby against Manchester United. Known to be valuable offensively, but less visible at the back, Liverpool’s number 66 was turned around nicely by Rúben Amorim’s gang and signed his worst performance of the season this Sunday. Enough for his status to be called into question and for Real Madrid to reconsider his interest? No.

Rumors like parasites

At the end of the contract with the Reds in six months, like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold would have been on the shelves of a giant: Real Madrid for several weeks. However, the rumor would not have disturbed the main person concerned according to his trainer Arne Slot: « I don’t believe in these things. I think nine out of ten people will tell you it’s affected (per transfer rumors). But I’m number 10^e no one who will tell you no, assured the Dutch technician at a press conference. What affected him was that he had to face Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot. These players are very good. » Like many full-backs today (Achraf Hakimi, Alphonso Davies, etc.), the England international is much more comfortable breaking through opposing defenses or making laser passes than stopping attackers.

It was enough for Roy Keane, consultant for Sky Sports and former iconic United midfielder, to spit his venom on “TAA”: “It’s too easy, you just have to send a few balls over him. We talk about Trent’s offensive quality, but he defended like a schoolboy today. There is talk of his departure for Real Madrid; the way he defends, he’s going to go to Tranmere Rovers after that. He must do better. » This shot is symptomatic of one thing: the tactical evolution of modern full-backs is not to the taste of many people. However, this weapon, which works especially if the midfielders compensate for the rises, has already been formidable more than once in the past.

Full-backs who no longer know how to defend, the evil of the century?

Pure product of Redsthe 26-year-old right-back owes a lot to Jürgen Klopp, the former Liverpool coach. First to German had made the England international one of the centerpieces of his gegenpressing. Results: a Champions League, a Premier League and an FA Cup, among others. Often singled out for his defensive errors, the vice-captain of Liverpool, who still has 334 matches with Liverpool, for 20 pawns and 85 assists, was able to count on the current global head of football within the Red Bull group to defend it: « The skills he has, to be influential in possession, it’s crazy. I don’t know if we’ve ever seen a right back like that. […] Do we just accept that world-class talent is judged on the one thing where it’s not quite world-class like in other areas? If he wasn’t a good defender, he wouldn’t play. He’s involved in everything and he’s doing well. » It’s all a question of balance, then. If he is not flawless in one-on-one situations, his offensive contributions erase a good part of his defensive errors. No offense to some, football has changed, and the big teams now rely more on this type of profile. For better, and for worse.

Rúben Amorim frustrated after draw against Liverpool