Tashyboy
Please don’t ask to see my tatts 👍
On a positive at least Liverpool have the Eurovision to look forward to
IanM
Journeyman Pro
- Joined
- May 18, 2009
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- Monmouthshire, UK via Guildford!
UEFA have acted swiftly after Franfurt fans rioted in Naples last night.
All English clubs are banned from European Competitions next season!
All English clubs are banned from European Competitions next season!
Interesting comments from Michael Owen on BT Sport last night regarding Liverpool which genuinely have me asking whether these pundits know as much as they perhaps should;
"Their right-back is unbelievable, the left-back too, Virgil van Dijk is probably the best in the world when he is on form.“
Their right back is unbelievable? Really? Yet again last night Trent Alexander Arnold exhibited a breathtaking lack of awareness to totally lose his man in the immediate run up to Real’s goal. It would be a surprise if it was unusual but it’s not - it’s a trait which appears engrained in his game. If I was to pick a right full back based on defensive qualities TAA would be nowhere close.
And VVD is a shadow of his former self. Ever since the assault on him by Pickford and the injury lay off, despite good games his level of consistency is nowhere near what it once was.
Owen should perhaps stick to horse racing.
"Their right-back is unbelievable, the left-back too, Virgil van Dijk is probably the best in the world when he is on form.“
Their right back is unbelievable? Really? Yet again last night Trent Alexander Arnold exhibited a breathtaking lack of awareness to totally lose his man in the immediate run up to Real’s goal. It would be a surprise if it was unusual but it’s not - it’s a trait which appears engrained in his game. If I was to pick a right full back based on defensive qualities TAA would be nowhere close.
And VVD is a shadow of his former self. Ever since the assault on him by Pickford and the injury lay off, despite good games his level of consistency is nowhere near what it once was.
Owen should perhaps stick to horse racing.
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venger
Well-known member
The sooner they move Alexander Arnold from full back to attcking midfielder (see Gareth Bale at spurs) the better.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
TAA is not and never will be a midfielder.
For 5 years he was outstanding in a team that wants him to play high and create with his ability on the ball , his defensive duties for Klopp and the way they play were always secondary.
He is 24 and won everything that he can and played a key role in the club winning those trophies but this is his first major form worry along with a number of players and last season has physically affected them
They will battle though and get over it and go again
What TAA does need to do is reduce the amount of upper body strength work he is doing - it seems to be affecting his movement
But we know how Klopp rates him and confident he will get through this
But can you really keep dismissing his defensive duties as secondary when they keep costing goals, Phil? That has to be his bread and butter, surely.
For someone lauded by Michael Owen as “unbelievable”, TAA’s awareness of what is going on around him is absolutely woeful at times. It’s not just being caught out of position, which of course will happen when he’s in a team playing a high line. But when he is in and around his own eighteen yard box he too often appears to have no clue what is happening around him.
The occasional faux pas is understandable. But it happens too often.
Beezerk
Money List Winner
He just isn’t there mentally for me, always seems distracted by something.
Obviously I’m only a telly clapper lol but from what I’ve seen over the years defensively he’s been carried by VVD and a high energy, high press midfield/forward set up. Now that’s no longer the case and he has to properly “defend” he’s getting shown up to be the really really poor defender we all know he is.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Klopp doesn’t change the tactics - still has him high , but even yesterday there were a number of times he covered well - but as we all know his mistakes will get highlighted.
I have no doubt that he will get his form back and the season will be one of those to write off.
And I ignore anything that Owen , McManaman , Ferdinand etc dribble - it’s the same when Carragher says that a team with TAA at right back doesn’t qualify for CL despite the fact the team has over the last 5 years
we will know soon enough next season if it was a poor season of form or something more serious to look into
Bdill93
Undisputed King of FOMO
I tend to agree regarding the VVD thing. For 2/3 years that man was an absolute force at CB and could not be touched, he's not the same player he was and he cant cover for TAA as well as he once did.
If Trent was having his usual 15 goal involvements a season though, it wouldn't matter.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
That’s the bigger worry - on the ball right now he is poor, his delivery and passing has dropped a significant level - he appears to be over hitting a lot of his passes and crosses , and dead ball delivery is really poor
You’re describing a wingback who is prone to significant defensive lapses and is also struggling going forward.
Maybe Southgate has been right to leave him out of the England set up after all.
Bdill93
Undisputed King of FOMO
Honestly strange because at one point he was passing like KDB. Obviously it can take time to adapt to a new striker etc. but Robbo hasn't had the numbers either so it must be a system thing?
Pin-seeker
Well-known member
Trent Alexander-Arnold was dribbled past 6 times against Real Madrid tonight. Only Marco Veratti (8) has been dribbled past more in a single Champions League game so far this season.
On strings.
On strings.
pokerjoke
Money List Winner
Lol everyone now realising what I’ve been saying all along TAA can’t defend.
I’ve also said he’s the best crosser of a ball since Beckham,so Liverpool fans put your dummies back in.
Klopp called him a world class defender and probably the best RB in the world.
That’s when Liverpool should have got rid of Klopp because he was clearly losing his mind.
I’ve also said he’s the best crosser of a ball since Beckham,so Liverpool fans put your dummies back in.
Klopp called him a world class defender and probably the best RB in the world.
That’s when Liverpool should have got rid of Klopp because he was clearly losing his mind.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
It’s a combination of multiple things
Tired legs
Injuries
Poor form
new players
It’s a season of trying to bring in new players and play a different way but also trying to compete at the same time ,and they have found it tough
The team have been at the peak for the past 5 years and in a system that is intense - it’s affected the players no doubt and there will need to be a refresh in the summer with a couple of additions
Swango1980
Well-known member
I suspect most of us have seen him as a bad defender for quite some time, unsurprisingly it is usually those with Liverpool connections who are desperate to tell the world he is world class, and have the complete lack of ability to accept any criticism. Until now, where they either need to reluctantly agree to a lot of it as it is so blatantly obvious, or they just disappear so they don't have to discuss it.
Basically, he has a good cross and shot on him. Despite that disappearing last night, I think most can accept he has those abilities. But, is that enough to be a top footballer? I think the team he has played in has flattered TAA for a number of years, and now we are seeing what type of player he really is. Liverpool were on the crest of a wave, with attackers and midfielders working tirelessly in and out of possession, keeping opponents on the back foot, and allowing TAA the room to stick in crosses. Now he has to defend, he is even more shocking than I thought he was. I don't even think people are trying to highlight any mistakes, and making more of them. They are impossible to miss. In fact, it is difficult to find many occasions where you can genuinely say "that was great defending by TAA in that move". As a PL right back, even an average to poor one, you'd expect there to be many occasions they at least get it right and do a good job, even though there are also times they could do a bit better.
We are told he is not a midfielder. I'm fairly confident in saying he isn't a defender. If he is, then his coaching at Liverpool has been diabolical, definitely overlooked.
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I think TAA finished last season in poor form, and it’s carried on this season. Two seasons ago he was a revelation. I’m beginning to wonder if he’s another wunderkind that has lost his way after reaching heady heights.
VVD isn’t at his best but he’s still very good. Perhaps made to look vulnerable because of how average his CB partners are.
There isn’t much wrong with L’lpool, and a good summer transfer window will see them challenging for the title again.
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
You make it sound like you had a summer of chelsea or forest recruitment Phil
cant think of anyone bar Nunez you bought and played straight away? Definitely been a reaction to previous seasons exploits, but an upgrade in midfield and probably another top class defender wouldnt go amiss this summer, should have plenty going forward
Bdill93
Undisputed King of FOMO
England squad today
I half expect a re-call for Watkins who has been in fine form post World Cup, especially over the last 8 or so games.
Tyrone Mings also in with a shout, Emery has really tidied up our defence and England are weak at CB.
Very interested to see if Toney gets a call up or not! Should be the clear 2nd choice for England but the betting thing might make Gareth overlook him.
I half expect a re-call for Watkins who has been in fine form post World Cup, especially over the last 8 or so games.
Tyrone Mings also in with a shout, Emery has really tidied up our defence and England are weak at CB.
Very interested to see if Toney gets a call up or not! Should be the clear 2nd choice for England but the betting thing might make Gareth overlook him.
