This weekend saw Liverpool continue their 100% start to the season with a 3-1 home win against Newcastle. The Reds were sensational on the front foot with Roberto Firmino putting in a display that defined his role in this Liverpool side as undefinable.
Despite an overall incredibly impressive performance, there was one blemish: Newcastle United’s goal. This goal said one thing to me, Liverpool need to sign a right-back and ASAP.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the best attacking right back in the world bar none. His offensive instincts are unrivalled. The Scouser’s crossing ability is outrageous and helped him set a record for assists by a defender in a Premier League season in the last campaign. However, he is consistently being caught half a yard off defensively. At the weekend Jetro Willems fired an unstoppable shot past Adrian. Whilst the keeper was helpless, Trent could’ve gotten tighter to the wing back.
As it stands, Trent is undroppable and that is awful for his development. How many 20 year old defenders are undroppable when playing for a side challenging for domestic and continental glory?
It is vital for Alexander-Arnold that Liverpool sign a right back to compete with him. Right now, the local lad has nobody to spur him on, nobody to learn from. Joe Gomez is Liverpool’s second choice right-back at the minute but Jürgen Klopp will be cautious about playing him on the flank too often as he surely sees him as Virgil van Dijk’s long term partner.
If Liverpool sign a right-back, Trent will have competition that will help him develop and, if we go for experience, he will have a seasoned pro to learn from – much like Gary McAllister and Steven Gerrard.
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