Gary Neville disagrees with Jurgen Klopp on the ‘big step’ Liverpool have just taken

Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold was used in a different role for the Reds against Arsenal but Gary Neville feels he shouldn’t swap positions

Gary Neville has dismissed the idea that Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold should play in midfield following his change of position in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

The Englishman filled a number of central positions during the Gunners clash in a new role as an inverted full-back under Jurgen Klopp.

Alexander-Arnold’s defensive prowess continues to be questioned in some circles – and the former Manchester United defender believes a move would be difficult for the Reds Academy graduate in the future, despite his ability.

“He was absolutely sensational [against Arsenal], Trent Alexander-Arnold came through,” Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast. “I really don’t know what else to say about him because his defensive game is so bad. “Some of the positions he takes where he flips [Gabriel] Martinelli behind him on a straight pass, it’s really schoolboy defence. It’s the most basic, if you can see the ball there, your man is there, he runs in there and you just don’t run with him.

“He was absolutely sensational [against Arsenal], Trent Alexander-Arnold went ahead,” Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast. “I really don’t know what else to say about him because his defensive game is so bad.

“Some of the positions he takes, where he turns [Gabriel] Martinelli behind him on a straight pass, it’s really a schoolboy’s defense. It’s the most basic thing, when you can see the ball there, your man is there, he’s running in there and you’re just not running with him.

“But then some of the attacking plays, some of the deliveries, the courage to maintain his confidence and keep the ball past the mistakes he makes defensively has to be admired. I admire him enormously. He goes on and you can only go on, but please…

“If he was actually playing out in midfield in the Premier League and the ball was slapped on him when he has his back to play, that’s a different ball game. Trent wouldn’t be able to do that, to be honest. “I think you have to play hundreds of games as a kid in midfield with a conscience looking over your shoulder… this idea that we all say he can play in midfield. I already have heard of full-backs, ‘if you can play wide, you can play a winger.’ No, they can’t. That’s why they are full-backs.

While growing up at Kirkby, Alexander-Arnold was a midfielder throughout his tenure and captained both the U16s and U18s on his rise to the first team. It had previously been used there for England under Gareth Southgate. Despite the criticism he has received, he has cemented his place as a bona fide regular for Liverpool with his dead ball, distribution and passing ability being a key part of the attacking threat to Klopp’s side.

But Neville’s view ignores the German coach’s comments after the draw with the Premier League leaders – that Alexander-Arnold’s role is a “big step” on Sunday – suggesting he won’t be the first and won’t be the last one. used.

“Yes, it’s not the first time,” he told reporters. “We’ve done this before, but maybe it wasn’t so obvious. We’ve done this before, where we put Trent in.

“Today Trent played more inside in preparation. Double six, that’s how it is. Obviously we have to get used to it. I would say it’s a big step to do it in a match against Arsenal.”

“He has opened up many opportunities for us. If you look at it again, you will see that you have to learn when to use it. Hendo didn’t give up, he stayed inside. Then we could really pass the first pass to Mo. Mo kept the ball very well today and we could go from there.

“I thought he did well. It wasn’t the first time, but we haven’t done it for a while.”

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Liverpool Jurgen Klopp tipped for shock switch to Premier League rivals if FSG call time on tormented Liverpool boss

Struggling Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been hinted to join a bitter Premier League rival if FSG decide to end his highly successful tenure at Anfield.

The Anfield side are having a disastrous season at home, currently tenth in the table and a whopping 11 points off the Champions League as it stands.

Saturday’s embarrassing 3-0 defeat by Wolves resulted in just one win from their last seven matches in all competitions. They’ve also lost twice to Brighton and Brentford in that time, while the small matter of a Merseyside derby this weekend comes up against a rejuvenated Everton.

Klopp’s men are also out of both cups, although they will face Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16. But with the pressure mounting on the German, former Reds striker Stan Collymore fears the worst.

However, he also believes that if Klopp leaves, Chelsea will almost certainly make a move, with their manager Graham Potter currently on the line.

The Blues have their own problems as they sit one place above Liverpool. However, they are looking to make their way back against the Reds’ tougher approach during the January period.

And Collymore has no doubts that Klopp would be a hit at Stamford Bridge. He told Caught Offside: “The reality is that if FSG sacks Klopp, there is nobody better equipped to do a better job.

“So whoever wants to let him go should be careful what they wish for, because I’m sure if he suddenly became available, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG and even Chelsea would be lining up.”

Klopp deserves the chance to transform Liverpool

Despite these comments, Collymore still thinks Klopp deserves more time to get things back on track.

He added: “I still don’t think Jurgen Klopp should face sacking at Liverpool. I know they are having a terrible season but we have to look beyond the last six months.

“Think where Liverpool were when he arrived – it was a mess!

“They had an underperforming squad, were barely competitive and couldn’t bring in the best players. “Klopp single-handedly changed all that, winning every possible trophy along the way, and not only turned them into a winning team, but completely revolutionized their style of play.”

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Jurgen Klopp faces tough decisions on Mohamed Salah move as Liverpool consider another team reshuffle

Liverpool to face Everton in Premier League with Jurgen Klopp facing selection poses

Liverpool are still chasing their first Premier League win of 2023 after a dismal spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.

The Reds had to calculate the cost of a poor start as they were beaten 3-0 by their relegation-threatened opponents at Molineux.

Liverpool will now be looking to halt an alarming league decline when they entertain neighbors Everton next Monday.
And here we await the changes that Jurgen Klopp could make the next time his team are in action.

Virgil van Dijk’s potential return after more than a month out through injury – the Dutchman is expected to return to some training next week – would leave Jurgen Klopp with a decision at the heart of defence.

But whether Van Dijk succeeds or not, neither Joel Matip nor Joe Gomez have done Wolves much good over the weekend, giving Nat Philips hope of a second Premier League start. Ibrahima Konate is injured.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are expected to stay at the back. Gomez and James Milner are possible alternatives at right-back – Calvin Ramsay failed to return to the bench on Saturday – while Kostas Tsimkas came on as a replacement for Robertson at Molineux. Alisson Becker is the goalkeeper of choice. Change in midfield?

Klopp has remained with the same trio in midfield for his last four games – Stefan Bajcetic, Naby Keita and Thiago Alcantara – but he could start a rotation against Wolves given the result.

Fabinho missed out through illness but was meant to be an option, with captain Jordan Henderson appearing in the second half. Milner would also provide engine room experience, while Harvey Elliott, who has been out of midfield for the last four games, could be brought back into the role.

Curtis Jones has started just one Premier League game this season, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn’t started a top-flight game in the engine room for almost a year. Arthur Melo stays out.
Sala question

Another poor performance from Mohamed Salah in his 200th league appearance for the Reds could leave Klopp with a tough decision regarding the Egyptian, who has started every Premier League game this season.

Elliott would be an alternative on the right, as would Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Elliott is also a possibility on the left wing, having started there twice in recent weeks.

Both Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez can play left and centre, although Nunez’s performance against Wolves suggests he may have gained an edge in the central role.

Fabio Carvalho has only played three minutes in the Premier League since October and although Diogo Jota is back in training next week, it would certainly be too early to question his selection. Roberto Firmino and Luis Diaz remain absent.

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