14 goals and assists in 16 games: 23-year-old has been simply unbelievable for Liverpool recently – RTK View

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Yesterday, as it so regularly is, it was left to Trent Alexander-Arnold to find a way through for Liverpool.

Cardiff City were proving awkward opposition in the FA Cup fourth round. Diogo Jota fashioned a good opening for The Reds just a few minutes in. But they had been restricted to hopeful long-shots since then.

The second half started in much the same way, until Liverpool won a free-kick 40 yards out on the right hand side.

For most teams, this represents a decent chance to get a good ball into the box. For Liverpool, it is a near certainty to lead to a shot on goal at the very least.

That’s all down to Alexander-Arnold. It looked like a goal from the minute the ball left his boot yesterday. All Jota had to do was steer it on target, which he duly did.

That pinpoint cross made it 14 goal contributions in Trent’s last 16 games for Liverpool. A run of 12 assists and two goals.

Sandwiched in-between that run, he also managed a hat-trick of assists in a game for England.

A reminder to everyone that we’re talking about a right-back putting up these kind of creative numbers. Astonishing!

Assist machine

It isn’t a new phenomenon that Liverpool are relying on their right-back to provide goals. Trent has 43 assists in 149 Premier League games for the club, as well as 10 goals.

But the level output he has delivered over the last few months is bordering on unprecedented.

Whether it’s a whipped delivery like the one we saw yesterday, a perfectly weighted ball over the top like the one for Jota’s Carabao Cup Semi-Final clincher against Arsenal, or belting in a 25-yard screamer like against Newcastle, Trent can do it all.

Of course it is slightly concerning that Liverpool’s main source of creativity comes from their right-back. But then again, every team has a creator in chief, it just so happens that Liverpool’s plays in defence.

The main worry is, as ever, that he should pick up an injury. As Liverpool allowed Neco Williams to leave on loan to Fulham in January, Joe Gomez would appear to be the understudy to Alexander-Arnold.

Although clearly an excellent player in his own right, Gomez has just three assists and zero goals in 83 Premier League games.

This further underlines the necessity of Jurgen Klopp keeping his number 66 fit and healthy.

For now though, let’s forget any worries of what may or may not happen and simply enjoy an exceptional footballer in the best creative period of his career so far.