One of the great success stories of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool is the players he has developed during his tenure.
Compared to rival teams, Liverpool haven’t spent hundreds of hundreds of millions, but instead, nurtured top talent and transformed them into world-class stars.
When the new coach comes in, amid talk of Feyenoord manager Arne Slot, that’s one of the big things he will have to overcome.
Trying to overachieve with players. Not buying ready-made stars, but those on the edge, showcasing great potential and then transforming them into world-beaters.
Over at Manchester City, a certain Pep Guardiola has been able to spend hundreds of hundreds of millions on fullbacks.
Yet, on Merseyside. The two fullbacks that have been prominent in Liverpool’s success for years now have been Trent Alexander-Arnold – an academy player. And Andy Robertson, who joined for a baby transfer fee from Hull City.
The boyhood Red is the one who has excited fans the most, including a certain Michael Owen, who thinks he is a ‘unique talent’, as he told Premier League Productions (24/04/24 at 7:35 pm).
Playing at right-back, the 25-year-old has transformed that role by now being one of the most creative players in that position.
Alexander-Arnold has been so good on the ball that people have questioned if he should move into midfield.
Former striker Owen thinks he should stay put, but he does think that the England star is ‘different to everybody else’ in the world in the role that he plays.
Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back
“Just sit back and watch this, it’s an exhibition of passing, vision and accuracy,” said Owen about Alexander-Arnold.
“His calmness. Waiting for the right opportunity. Waiting for the right pass. People don’t see these passes, let alone play them. He is just incredible. He does give you something different to any other fullback in the world. People say. Should he play in midfield? I am not sure. I think, from this area, he is absolutely lethal. He is unique. A unique talent. He is incredible in what he does.
“Liverpool’s fullback is just different to everybody else. He is actually the most dangerous person when he is on.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s form
Alexander-Arnold’s reaction said it all at Goodison Park. When Klopp subbed him, he sat on the bench, puffing his cheeks out, like he had just seen a ghost, before burying his face inside his shirt.
He knew that the 2-0 defeat in the Merseyside derby had all but killed Liverpool’s chances of giving Klopp the farewell that he deserved.
The players can do nothing but look at themselves. They are to blame. From Mohamed Salah to Trent himself, their form has gone out of the window and now they are probably out of the title race.
Now it’s about making sure Klopp’s tenure ends with as many wins as possible because he is only going to be here for a few more weeks.
