Trent Alexander-Arnold has been criticised for his defending down the years, however this season, in opposition to Brighton particularly, he has proved he has the power to maintain among the Premier League‘s finest wingers quiet.
When Brighton got here to Anfield, they might have hoped to assault and exploit Liverpool’s proper facet, with 32-year-old Mo Salah performing as Alexander-Arnold’s principal protector to cope with Pervis Estupinan and Kaoru Mitoma.
Whereas supervisor Fabian Hurzeler’s plan to play excessive and preserve the ball labored within the first half, they couldn’t get the higher of Alexander-Arnold who held agency in opposition to Mitoma all through.
Liverpool’s right-back pissed off the Japanese to such an extent that Mitoma, who as soon as wrote a thesis on dribbling, solely managed to finish three of his eight dribbles throughout your complete match, in line with FotMob.
The beneath graphic from WhoScored particulars how Brighton focused Liverpool’s right-hand facet.
On the suitable map, you’ll be able to see how Estupinan was pissed off by Salah and Alexander-Arnold as he dedicated eight fouls, 5 greater than anybody else.
Alexander-Arnold, like in opposition to Arsenal, was totally focused on the duty at hand and accomplished eight of his 9 tackles, greater than anybody else on the pitch.
Whereas he was dribbled previous 3 times, Liverpool’s No. 66 restricted Mitoma to only two photographs, one blocked at shut proximity and one other that went previous the far put up.
Whereas his defending was wonderful at Anfield, his normal strongest attribute, passing, was beneath par, however Alexander-Arnold didn’t let his errors deter him from making the ahead passes Arne Slot wishes.
Towards Brighton, he had only a 65 p.c passing accuracy, finishing 30 of 46, however he nonetheless performed 17 passes into the ultimate third, seven greater than the subsequent finest, Van Dijk.
Distinction from first half to second half
It’s turning into a well-recognized story to listen to that Liverpool have needed to flip issues round at half time.
In some methods it’s a praise to Slot that he’s capable of adapt the crew throughout video games. Nonetheless, it will be extra perfect for Liverpool to start out properly!
After Saturday’s win, Slot stated: “We modified a little bit of ways however that had nothing to do with ball possession, that had nothing to do with us popping out stronger within the second half.
“All of it had to do this the gamers confirmed a unique perspective and totally different depth.
“Subsequently, I stated a couple of issues and we confirmed a couple of issues, nevertheless it wasn’t that I used to be screaming or fuming round. It’s simply ensuring the gamers perceive that this was not sufficient, and I believe they felt it themselves as properly.”
By FotMob’s stats above, we are able to see this enhance in depth from Liverpool.
Within the second half, the Reds made greater than double the variety of tackles than within the first, 4 occasions the variety of interceptions and eight extra duels.
FotMob’s momentum graphic is one other instance of proof that reveals how Liverpool got here out the higher crew after half time.
Whereas the Reds might not have dominated proceedings after the break, they made their stress rely because of Cody Gakpo‘s cross that discovered the web and Salah’s elegant left-footed strike.
After that flurry, Liverpool sat off once more and, aided by a powerful exhibiting from Joe Gomez, held out to return to the highest of the Premier League.
Man Metropolis now lie two factors behind the Reds, with Arsenal an additional 5 again.
FotMob is a vital app for each fan to maintain updated with their crew or observe soccer worldwide, their unbelievable new options present all you possibly can ever need and data you by no means knew you wanted! You’ll be able to obtain the FotMob App right here.
