Klopp: Defensive performance of Alexander-Arnold a major factor in win against Leicester

Jurgen Klopp was delighted with the defensive performance of Trent Alexander-Arnold in Liverpool’s scrappy 2-1 win over Leicester at Anfield on Friday evening.

 

In a overall performance that wont linger too long in the memory bank, it was Alexander-Arnold who deservedly won high praise. The 24 year-old has always been a wonderful attacking full-back with pin-point delivery from set pieces and providing crosses for the forwards.

 

But the English international has increasingly been criticised for what he doesn't do in a defensive sense with opposition teams seeing him as a vulnerable member of Liverpool’s back four.

 

His task on Friday evening was to keep the lively Harvey Barnes under check who has been one of Leicester’s most potent attacking weapons this season with six goals in the league.

 

And with their other creative outlet James Maddison on the sidelines with injury, Barnes was bound to see a lot of the ball. But it was the diligent performance of the full-back which won the battle convincingly.

 

In a statistical sense, Alexander Arnold won four tackles, made three interceptions and was successful in six ground duels from seven contested.

 

 

Speaking after the game to the assembled media (per the Official Site) the manager was full of praise for the Man of the Match.

 

“Really good, and not the first time. It was good, to be honest. It was really good, very helpful and very important in these moments. Very, very helpful. I think everybody knows how good Harvey Barnes is in these moments and Trent did exceptionally well. 

 

Speaking on Sky Sports, Alexander-Arnold said he understands why the focus on the defensive side of his game has been a talking point.

 

"I think that was due to the World Cup coming up and people think that if I'm not playing then it is because of that reason and then people hone in on that. Some of it I've not helped myself in certain situations. I'll hold my hands up to that.

 

"In certain situations I could have been better but it is a part of my game I do try to work on and I focus on to try and help the team win games.”

 

While not happy with the overall performance in a stylistic sense, Klopp said this time of the season has always been about gritting your teeth and collecting as many points that you can.

 

“I’m getting closer to I think 1,000 games in the job and I saw these games unfortunately pretty often, so that can happen and then it’s very special when you can win them because these are the games that decide about getting where you want to be or not. That’s why it’s so important we could bring it over the line tonight. That’s what we did."

 

With two more injuries to Andy Robertson and Harvey Elliott coming out of the contest, Klopp is unsure about who he will be able to select for the clash on Monday evening against Brentford which was already shaping as a challenging fixture.

 

“We have just two days and we don’t know exactly who can go again and stuff like this. But Brentford have the same situation. They are in a really good moment, I think. I saw big parts of the Tottenham game, a lot of things were really good. Didn’t see obviously yet anything from the West Ham game but will watch it as well. 

 

“I have no information about that yet. And we had our problems then with the way they play, so we have to make sure we are ready for that. That’s all I’m concerned about in the moment.”