Jurgen Klopp says he noticed West Ham United players trying to closely mark Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold during last night’s game.
Trent’s move into midfield has been the major talking point of the last few weeks at Anfield. The 24-year-old dropped another masterclass against the Hammers last night, claiming his fifth assist in four games as Liverpool won 2-1.
So far, the Reds’ opponents don’t seem to have worked out a good way to stop Alexander-Arnold playmaking at will. But speaking to LFCTV after yesterday’s victory, Klopp says that he spotted West Ham getting a little more to grips with him in the second-half at the London Stadium.
“Yes Trent is a factor in this game but second-half they tried to mark him a bit and Fabinho has to step up, that’s how it is,” said the manager. “But then he [Trent] is more free and he can do these kinds of things and that’s the important stuff.
“I’m happy, you can see the whole team buys into that and that’s what I like the most.”
Teams try to stop Liverpool’s new plan
It’s inevitable that teams will start drawing up plans of how to stop Alexander-Arnold in his new role. Some of these will probably be effective, but the Scouser’s talent is such that he will find a way more often than not regardless.
Certainly, it isn’t as easy as putting one or two more markers on him. As Klopp says, that simply frees up more time and space for Liverpool’s other players to spring forward.
Fabinho is the example Jurgen uses, and perhaps having Trent next to him could bring out the best in the Brazilian.
In an ideal world though, Liverpool will be looking to bring in a dynamic, box-to-box midfielder to complement their roving right-back. That way, if Trent is marked out of the match, we hopefully have a player on the loose who can effect the game at both ends.
That’s all for the future though, and it could be that whether Alexander-Arnold continues in his new role is dependent on the players signed this summer.
Someone in the mould of Alexis Mac Allister or Mason Mount would surely be the perfect complement to Trent. Fingers crossed we can get something done. In the meantime, good luck trying to stop him!