Klopp Brands Machine Trent the clubs biggest surprise

[tlw content]

Jurgen Klopp says young defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has turned out to be the biggest surprise since he took over the reins at Anfield, describing the player as a “machine.”

 

The 21-year-old was given his senior debut in October 2016, a year after Klopp took over from Brendan Rodgers and has since gone on to cement his place in the starting 11. He’s also forced his way into the England squad, having become one of the most highly-rated defenders in Europe.

 

Alexander-Arnold is a player who typifies the modern-day full-back, effective both in defense and attack as he marauds up and down the right flank. Klopp has known the youngster for a few years now but he admits he didn’t think he would show that much improvement this quickly.

 

"I have known Trent Alexander-Arnold since he was 17 years old,” the German said after being asked what the biggest surprise of his Liverpool career has been so far by BBC Sport. "He was a big talent but we were not sure he could do it physically. Now he is a machine - so he is a big surprise."

 

The 21-year-old, now a Champions League winner, was named Liverpool’s Young Player of the Season for two consecutive campaigns (2016/17 and 2017/18) and was an inclusion in last term’s PFA Team of the Year. He was also nominated for the Ballon d’Or this year.

 

Klopp is certainly owed a lot of the credit for Alexander-Arnold’s development. The coach has his work cut out for him when it comes to keeping his squad fresh and competitive, however.

 

Asked how he maintains respect while making difficult decisions, he said: "All my former players have my number and we stay in contact.

 

"I support them still, apart from the moment we play each other. If we win 5-1 I would prefer my former player scores the one. It is like a family and friends forever.

 

"When I was a very young manager [at Mainz] and I knew my players did not earn very much, I had to tell some of my best friends they would not get another contract and I did not know which way it would go for them.

 

"Now it is a different level and I do not put the players on the streets, they will find another club.”

 

Meanwhile, Liverpool are on course to win their first title of the Premier League era, having just lifted the FIFA Club World Cup. They’re 10 points clear at the top of the league table with a game in hand and are 1/7 to claim the coveted title at the end of the season with Betfair, who are handing customers the opportunity to win £100 in free bets.

 

The sportsbook has several other offers and promotions available which, coupled with the above, is thought to be the reason why Betfair are one of the top bookmakers in the UK. They have reigning champions Manchester City at 6/1 to win the league for a third successive time but the Reds are the clear favourites after dropping just two points in 17 games so far this season. Leicester City are 60/1 while Chelsea are a huge stretch at 500/1, as are Tottenham Hotspur.

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[rubble-rouser]

The whole interview with Colin Murray is really good. It’s in BBC sounds. Klopp laying into Brexit and talking about his childhood.

[Mook]

I'm a big TAA fan but he still has a lot of work to do on his defending in my opinion, if he can get that up to the level of his general attacking play, his passing & his crossing, he'll be some player.

 

All this talk of him being the best RB in the World is some way off in my opinion, other teams are still targeting him as a weak link defensively at the moment.

[VladimirIlyich]

9 hours ago, Mook said:

I'm a big TAA fan but he still has a lot of work to do on his defending in my opinion, if he can get that up to the level of his general attacking play, his passing & his crossing, he'll be some player.

 

All this talk of him being the best RB in the World is some way off in my opinion, other teams are still targeting him as a weak link defensively at the moment.

How are they getting on with that 'targeting him' then?

I do get your point though.

[Mook]

2 hours ago, VladimirIlyich said:

How are they getting on with that 'targeting him' then?

I do get your point though.

The Flamengo lad had him on toast for about 15/20 minutes in the first half on Saturday night. I think Klopp saw what was going on & changed something because the second half was better.

 

Ancelotti seems to target him when we play Napoli too & those cunts have a decent record against us.

[Captain Turdseye]

Where’s the Betfair money, Dave?

[Jairzinho]

12 hours ago, Mook said:

I'm a big TAA fan but he still has a lot of work to do on his defending in my opinion, if he can get that up to the level of his general attacking play, his passing & his crossing, he'll be some player.

 

All this talk of him being the best RB in the World is some way off in my opinion, other teams are still targeting him as a weak link defensively at the moment.

Yes, his passing and crossing are absolutely phenomenal. They befit a 27/28 year old world class midfielder. However, defensively he is currently at the level of an average premier league right back. Which isn't exactly terrible, but he's definitely, and understandably considering his age, the (relative) weak link in the back four defensively. Thankfully, as we're so good overall, it's rarely a problem. Plus, he's 21. So it'll obviously improve with experience. 

[Barrington Womble]

On 23/12/2019 at 21:52, tlw content said:

Jurgen Klopp says young defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has turned out to be the biggest surprise since he took over the reins at Anfield, describing the player as a “machine.”

 

The 21-year-old was given his senior debut in October 2016, a year after Klopp took over from Brendan Rodgers and has since gone on to cement his place in the starting 11. He’s also forced his way into the England squad, having become one of the most highly-rated defenders in Europe.

 

Alexander-Arnold is a player who typifies the modern-day full-back, effective both in defense and attack as he marauds up and down the right flank. Klopp has known the youngster for a few years now but he admits he didn’t think he would show that much improvement this quickly.

 

"I have known Trent Alexander-Arnold since he was 17 years old,” the German said after being asked what the biggest surprise of his Liverpool career has been so far by BBC Sport. "He was a big talent but we were not sure he could do it physically. Now he is a machine - so he is a big surprise."

 

The 21-year-old, now a Champions League winner, was named Liverpool’s Young Player of the Season for two consecutive campaigns (2016/17 and 2017/18) and was an inclusion in last term’s PFA Team of the Year. He was also nominated for the Ballon d’Or this year.

 

Klopp is certainly owed a lot of the credit for Alexander-Arnold’s development. The coach has his work cut out for him when it comes to keeping his squad fresh and competitive, however.

 

Asked how he maintains respect while making difficult decisions, he said: "All my former players have my number and we stay in contact.

 

"I support them still, apart from the moment we play each other. If we win 5-1 I would prefer my former player scores the one. It is like a family and friends forever.

 

"When I was a very young manager [at Mainz] and I knew my players did not earn very much, I had to tell some of my best friends they would not get another contract and I did not know which way it would go for them.

 

"Now it is a different level and I do not put the players on the streets, they will find another club.”

 

Meanwhile, Liverpool are on course to win their first title of the Premier League era, having just lifted the FIFA Club World Cup. They’re 10 points clear at the top of the league table with a game in hand and are 1/7 to claim the coveted title at the end of the season with Betfair, who are handing customers the opportunity to win £100 in free bets.

 

The sportsbook has several other offers and promotions available which, coupled with the above, is thought to be the reason why Betfair are one of the top bookmakers in the UK. They have reigning champions Manchester City at 6/1 to win the league for a third successive time but the Reds are the clear favourites after dropping just two points in 17 games so far this season. Leicester City are 60/1 while Chelsea are a huge stretch at 500/1, as are Tottenham Hotspur.

 

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This was taken from a 45 minute interview he did with Colin murray. It was decent listening and should be available on BBC sounds as a podcast. 

[JagSquared]

I don’t think he’s as bad defensively as some say, our system needs him to play high up the pitch so you have to take that into account. 

 

I don’t think arch many other teams apart from Liverpool so If he’s not the best right back in the world who is?

[3 Stacks]

On 23/12/2019 at 17:53, Mook said:

I'm a big TAA fan but he still has a lot of work to do on his defending in my opinion, if he can get that up to the level of his general attacking play, his passing & his crossing, he'll be some player.

 

All this talk of him being the best RB in the World is some way off in my opinion, other teams are still targeting him as a weak link defensively at the moment.

It's almost impossible to give as much as Trent does going forward and then also be brilliant defensively. You just don't see that. Robertson comes close, but Trent is still more influential going forward and Robertson has more natural athleticism and pace than Trent does. So he's just better equipped to being balanced. 

 

He is easily one of the best RB's in the world, if not the best. He can improve but I think if you ask him to be as good defending as he is attacking, it's akin to asking him to be Cafu, which is a bit unfair. Right now, in terms of his attacking prowess, Trent is basically Dani Alves or a right footed Marcelo and those two were incredible. 

[Barrington Womble]

Outside of de bruyne and strikers, is there anyone in the league who influences more goals then Trent? He's not a full back, we don't play with full backs. He's one of the league's best play makers. It's just we effectively play 5 in midfield and he has to work hard defensively, sometime like other midfielders he's caught out. 

[JagSquared]

2 hours ago, JagSquared said:

I don’t think he’s as bad defensively as some say, our system needs him to play high up the pitch so you have to take that into account. 

 

I don’t think arch many other teams apart from Liverpool so If he’s not the best right back in the world who is?

Think I had a stroke half way through this I meant to say “ I don’t watch many other teams...”

[3 Stacks]

31 minutes ago, Barry Wom said:

Outside of de bruyne and strikers, is there anyone in the league who influences more goals then Trent? He's not a full back, we don't play with full backs. He's one of the league's best play makers. It's just we effectively play 5 in midfield and he has to work hard defensively, sometime like other midfielders he's caught out. 

Exactly. Like Alves and Marcelo, he is one of the few who can be a creative fulcrum from fullback. And for those two, they needed others to cover for them and they couldn't always be in sound defensive positions. 

[Barrington Womble]

15 minutes ago, 3 Stacks said:

Exactly. Like Alves and Marcelo, he is one of the few who can be a creative fulcrum from fullback. And for those two, they needed others to cover for them and they couldn't always be in sound defensive positions. 

It is always one of the things that makes me laugh. The great attacking full backs there's been over the years, some people are "imagine if we had him, we'd win everything", then if we did get him he'd be slaughtered for the 1st time a goal was scored down his side. And with Trent we do have him and we're starting to win everything! Don't worry about what he can't do, enjoy what he can because he's an incredible player and he's only 21. And absolute credit to the manager for seeing what he did in him and allowing the team to develop in a way that allowed Trent to flourish in what appeared at first an unnatural position. 

 

I've seen a few people say they'd like to see Trent moved to midfield. It would be the last thing I'd want, as I think playing in our midfield takes the cutting edge of players because of the shift they have to do and how congested the game is centeally. If Trent is to move positions, I could see him ending up in the front 3, although right now I'm just happy where he is and the job he's doing. 

 

Finally, I know not a lot has been made of it, but I'm still loving his pass/cross for the winner against Monterey. It was wonderful. Each time I watch it I still keep expecting him to whip it in with pace and instead he just holds off to the perfect moment and measures a pass. It was just incredible. 

[sir roger]

While accepting that Trent still has maturing to do I think you have to take two things into account with Trent's defensive performances . Sadio gives Robbo far more cover on the left than Mo does on the right , and I think Jurgen doesn't seem to care too much about letting opposition wide men get up the left wing, so tends to tuck Trent in a bit assuming ( I guess ) VvD and the other CB will mop up most crosses.

[Mook]

1 hour ago, 3 Stacks said:

It's almost impossible to give as much as Trent does going forward and then also be brilliant defensively. You just don't see that. Robertson comes close, but Trent is still more influential going forward and Robertson has more natural athleticism and pace than Trent does. So he's just better equipped to being balanced. 

 

He is easily one of the best RB's in the world, if not the best. He can improve but I think if you ask him to be as good defending as he is attacking, it's akin to asking him to be Cafu, which is a bit unfair. Right now, in terms of his attacking prowess, Trent is basically Dani Alves or a right footed Marcelo and those two were incredible. 

I'm not asking him to be Cafu or anyone else but quite often he's in a good position to stop the cross coming in & doesn't manage to do it. Of course he's very young & his reading of what the attacker is going to do will improve.

 

There is definitely some truth in the notion that Klopp is happy for crosses & long range shots to come in as he feels the keeper & CBs are equipped to deal with them & they are.

 

As I say, I'm a big fan of TAAs but there is always room to improve.

[Einch]

He gets better in games. Works out the opposition and it’s by no means perfect but he does it. 

[moof]

There is room to improve, which is incredibly scary for opposing teams because he’s already world class and one of the best creative players in the league 

[DJLJ]

7 hours ago, Barry Wom said:

It is always one of the things that makes me laugh. The great attacking full backs there's been over the years, some people are "imagine if we had him, we'd win everything", then if we did get him he'd be slaughtered for the 1st time a goal was scored down his side. And with Trent we do have him and we're starting to win everything! Don't worry about what he can't do, enjoy what he can because he's an incredible player and he's only 21. And absolute credit to the manager for seeing what he did in him and allowing the team to develop in a way that allowed Trent to flourish in what appeared at first an unnatural position. 

 

I've seen a few people say they'd like to see Trent moved to midfield. It would be the last thing I'd want, as I think playing in our midfield takes the cutting edge of players because of the shift they have to do and how congested the game is centeally. If Trent is to move positions, I could see him ending up in the front 3, although right now I'm just happy where he is and the job he's doing. 

 

Finally, I know not a lot has been made of it, but I'm still loving his pass/cross for the winner against Monterey. It was wonderful. Each time I watch it I still keep expecting him to whip it in with pace and instead he just holds off to the perfect moment and measures a pass. It was just incredible. 

I am not sure what was said on British tv, but on RTE they mentioned the cross several times along with how good it was etc. So perhaps it was only on BBC/ITV or wherever it wasn’t mentioned?

[Barrington Womble]

52 minutes ago, DJLJ said:

I am not sure what was said on British tv, but on RTE they mentioned the cross several times along with how good it was etc. So perhaps it was only on BBC/ITV or wherever it wasn’t mentioned?

Harry Kewell mentioned it but only in so much he said it's a great cross and if it had have been him he'd have hit it to the back post. But for me the quality of that cross in that moment of the game made it goal of the tournament - in fact for me.was more impressive than his corner v barcelona. 

[Red Hot]

I totally agree.

[No2]

4 hours ago, Barry Wom said:

Harry Kewell mentioned it but only in so much he said it's a great cross and if it had have been him he'd have hit it to the back post. But for me the quality of that cross in that moment of the game made it goal of the tournament - in fact for me.was more impressive than his corner v barcelona. 

His Barcelona corner won't be bettered in his career, it's his Gerrard Olympiakos.

[Barrington Womble]

5 hours ago, No2 said:

His Barcelona corner won't be bettered in his career, it's his Gerrard Olympiakos.

I suppose it's what you call as bettered. Gerrard bettered that goal loads of times. I acknowledge sky like it though. 

[VladimirIlyich]

5 hours ago, No2 said:

His Barcelona corner won't be bettered in his career, it's his Gerrard Olympiakos.

He'd probably say that becoming a European and World club champion is a greater achievement than an individual piece of brilliance. I also dont think Origi gets enough credit for that,it was a brilliant one touch finish from a not easy delivery.

[Herp McDerp]

4 minutes ago, VladimirIlyich said:

He'd probably say that becoming a European and World club champion is a greater achievement than an individual piece of brilliance. I also dont think Origi gets enough credit for that,it was a brilliant one touch finish from a not easy delivery.

 

Would have been easy to sky it, my heart still skips a beat every time I watch the replay .