The Council on Trent

[rurikbird]

This lad has a really nice right-footed pass/cross on him – you could see every time he crossed the ball, he was aiming for a specific player or area rather than just "whipping it in" like so many other players. His cross was a dangerous weapon all game and finally paid off for Origi's goal. His set piece delivery seems pretty consistent too.

In terms of running with the ball, he showed that he is capable of cutting in as well as running past players on the outside, where his speed and long legs should give him an advantage (to be fair, in this game he didn't have too much success when running on the outside, maybe that's one of the things he needs to improve). His running style is easy and elegant, like a sped-up version of Matip, ball control effortless.

Defensively it's hard to say because Leeds didn't provide the hardest test; it's not like he spend 90 minutes battling against Hazard or Nolito. The tests will come in time. But he seems like the type that generally keeps his concentration and follows instructions.

Overall, I think the biggest difference between Trent and our other Academy or reserve team products who were at one time or another given a chance to establish themselves as full-backs (Randall, Smith, Wisdom, Kelly, even Flanno) is that Trent is not a narrow full-back specialist – he is equally comfortable at CM or as a right winger, so his skill set is far more varied than any of his predecessors. He's simply a more of a complete player. He's going to be an understudy to Clyne for a while, but there are already some things you could say Trent does better – and at some point even Clyne won't be able to keep him out of the team. His other potential route into the first 11 would be as a right-sided CM (where Ejaria played today), but there is going to be insane competition for that spot with the likes of Lallana, Wijnaldum, Can, the aforementioned Ejaria etc.

 

[mark1975]

He had a great game, building on a good game against Spurs too. He's got a long way to go though from playing against a Spurs second XI and then a Championship side, to be talking about whether he can over take Clyne. Clyne has just about everything bar a consistent delivery in the final third, something which TAA showed he might have yesterday, but that's only one aspect of his game.

Who was the lad who had a brilliant game for us at right back against Bolton, so much so that Big Sam bought him, and then he disappeared into obscurity? Jon Otsemobor?

Anyway, I have no real scope for how good TAA is defensively, he made one really good clearing header which was a difficult ball and a situation where he couldn't tell if anyone was lurking on the far side. That was good and composed and his passing out of trouble was also good, which is sort of crucial to this setup.

His attitude was brilliant and it's good to see him, Woodburn and Ejaria all as giddy as school kids with their enthusiasm, they were all clearly hugely grateful to Klopp for the opportunities to show what they can do, and none of them let themselves down, if anything, they should have set the alarm bells ringing for a few of our first teamers who seemed to be struggling for form and confidence. Notably Can and, also on the fringe of things, Stewart.

What did impress me about Can (as a sidenote), was that he was 100% better when he replaced Stewart in front of the back four. He got his range of passing back and he looked positionally comfortable again. I hope Klopp takes that on board with the loss of Coutinho, because I don't think pushing Can forward is the answer for him or us.

 

[moron]

I know he is young and he showed he was good on defence. But like Clyne he has showed time and again the need to pass inside and few attempta to cross the ball. Yes the cross he did put in was great but we had very good build ups in that game and on many occasions he passed backwards.

 

[gkmacca]

He's actually played central midfield as well as on the right, but, playing further up, he's a bit like a young Gerrard whose brain has been re-programmed by Benitez so he'll play on the right without pining for the centre. He could flourish there, but you can see that he started at Kirkby as a forward because there's such a calmness and focus when he gets near the opposition area. He's the most natural goal scoring RC we will have had since Chris Lawler


Crazy this pic - he just looks now like he's been stretched:

 

[Squiggles]

Looks a very good prospect. Quick, tall, athletic, and that ball in was a peach. It takes a lot of confidence to play and execute that ball. I'm starting to see why Flanigan was binned off on loan now we know how good this kid is.

 

[gkmacca]

Looks a very good prospect. Quick, tall, athletic, and that ball in was a peach. It takes a lot of confidence to play and execute that ball. I'm starting to see why Flanigan was binned off on loan now we know how good this kid is.

That wasn't the reason Flanno was sent off on loan. There's just an anxiety about whether he'll really get back to what he was after that knee injury.

 

[RedStar]

That pass was sensational. for a kid his age to have the vision to see that pass let alone the technique to execute it is pretty rare. He seems deliberate in everything he does which is a really positive sign end how many young players get by on raw physical talent and instinct.

 

[rurikbird]

He had a great game, building on a good game against Spurs too. He's got a long way to go though from playing against a Spurs second XI and then a Championship side, to be talking about whether he can over take Clyne. Clyne has just about everything bar a consistent delivery in the final third, something which TAA showed he might have yesterday, but that's only one aspect of his game.

I agree, that's why I said he's going to be Clyne's understudy for quite some time – Clyne is one of the best full-backs in the league and the best one we've had since Finnan, it will be some task to unseat him. But it's a testament to TAA's talent and versatility that there are some aspects of the game where he might already be better than Clyne. That's why I have the belief that as his overall game improves and matures, he might eventually reach an even higher level – at least the potential is there. But it's a long way to go, obviously.

 

[hmmmmm1]

He will get his chance as approach the xmas run.

 

[Brizzle]

He's actually played central midfield as well as on the right, but, playing further up, he's a bit like a young Gerrard whose brain has been re-programmed by Benitez so he'll play on the right without pining for the centre. He could flourish there, but you can see that he started at Kirkby as a forward because there's such a calmness and focus when he gets near the opposition area. He's the most natural goal scoring RC we will have had since Chris Lawler


Crazy this pic - he just looks now like he's been stretched:

He was probably already a better right back the Philip Degan at the time of this photo.

 

[darkstarexodus]

Like for the title alone. The post was pretty good too.

 

[Modo]

So what does his emergence mean for our other RB options, Flanagan and Randall?

 

[rurikbird]

Like for the title alone. The post was pretty good too.

I was hoping someone would "get" the title. Thanks for that!

 

[rurikbird]

So what does his emergence mean for our other RB options, Flanagan and Randall?

I doubt Flanno is a serious option any more, since he can't get into the Burnley team (1 start and 2 sub appearances so far) and also he is a very different kind of full-back to the high-energy pacy attacking type Klopp likes. He should be good in a defensive system though, so I'm not sure why it's not happening for him at Burnley either.

 

[Modo]

I honestly don't think Klopp went in to this season thinking that AA would be our rb back up.
Actually think his emergence came as a surprise to him as well.
I think Randall was supposed to be our back up for Clyne.

 

[Dreambeliever]

That wasn't the reason Flanno was sent off on loan. There's just an anxiety about whether he'll really get back to what he was after that knee injury.

How has Flanno done on loan?

 

[dee]

How has Flanno done on loan?

He's started twice. Once against Accrington Stanley in the LC (L 1-0) and once a few weeks back against Crystal Palace (W 3-2). Other than that he's usually on the bench and occasionally gets 10 mins or so.

 

[doctor_mac]

Sorry Rurik, I should have given you applause for the title. It is my kinda thing, so much so, I didn't admire the reference as much as I should in the context of a footy forum.

 

[rurikbird]

Speaking in his role as a pundit after the game, Carragher couldn’t help but lavish Alexander-Arnold with praise.
“We know now why Jurgen Klopp only went in with one recognised right-back this season—England’s first choice or second choice [Nathaniel Clyne],” he said.
“I think we know why now, with his performance tonight and the same against Spurs.
“Sometimes you just look at someone before you see them play and they look like a footballer.

“He just looks like a fantastic athlete, perfect for the full-back position. He’s only 18 so you think about how he’s going to look physically in three or four years’ time.
“He looks as though he’s already got the legs and the pace, and the strength is going to come. He’s still got a long way to go, the young lad.
“But to have an 18-year-old kid as your backup full-back, thinking about how big a club Liverpool are—fighting on all fronts and challenging at the top of the league—shows the faith Jurgen Klopp has got in him.”