Evaluating The Art of Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander Arnold

Unless you’ve been living under a rock since September, you will know that Liverpool are running away with the English Premier League, and some key reasons for this is Jurgen Klopp being a tactical genius, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, or Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander Arnold

Liverpool`s Formation

Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have adapted the 4-3-3 formation, with attacking fullbacks and a striker who drops deep to create space for wingers.

What Skills do Robertson and Alexander Arnold Need?

Speed

Without speed, your fullbacks will struggle to keep up with play and will end up having no effect on it.

Stamina

There is no point having a fullback who runs up the pitch, then back and is then completely out of breath and worn out for the rest of the game, and that is why stamina is so important, to ensure your fullbacks won`t be out of position because of their fitness.

Crossing

A lot of Liverpool`s goals this season have come from either Robertson or Alexander Arnold whipping crosses into the box, so if one of them unable to do this, Liverpool`s main source of goals would be gone, and as a result the whole Liverpool team would suffer.

Defending

There would be no point in having two attacking fullbacks who always pushed forward up the pitch, yet never came back to defend, and as a result would mean Liverpool`s defence would be put under enormous pressure. Therefore the last thing being a world class fullbacks requires you to have is the ability to defend.

Robertson, who is in my opinion the best left back in the world, is very good at defending, however this is where I think Trent suffers. Too many times I watch him out of position and not defending when he should instead be putting his neck on the line for his team. However, he is only 21, so he has a lot of time to sort out his defensive positioning

What is Liverpool`s Link Up Play Like?

Robertson and Alexander Arnold usually play quick passes to midfielders, receive the ball back, then dribble high up the pitch and either whip a perfect ball into the box for Firmino or pass to Mane or Salah, who have made runs in behind the defences back line.

What Would Liverpool be Like without them?

If for instance they still used James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne at Left Back and Right Back, they would no longer have fullbacks who push on and cross balls into the box, and instead they would have fullbacks who only stay back and defend.

This would mean they would not concede as much (not that they concede many anyway), yet they wouldn`t get close to their goal scoring records they currently have.

In the future, I see Trent moving on abroad to somewhere like Madrid or Barcelona, because Liverpool`s star players are currently all in their prime apart from him and Robertson. This is why they are doing so well, but when they get older Liverpool will drop off and will start rebuilding yet again

As for Robertson, what a rise it has been for him, starting at Queen`s Park in Scotland, then moved to Dundee United, swiftly transferred to Hull City, and then Liverpool signed him in 2017.

Have your Say

What’s your opinion on these 2 dynamic players and their contribution to Liverpool’s success this season. Do you agree with me or think they are overhyped?