The cross-master

[rurikbird]

By my count Trent Alexander-Arnold attempted 11 crosses in this game – 4 have reached their targets, 3 were on target but missed by the receiving players, 1 was under-hit and 3 were blocked by defenders. Never seemed like he was forcing it too; he passed the ball short when the situation required it, but whenever he was shaping up for the cross teammates were always flooding the box – a sign of trust in his ability.

I think a top-notch crosser of the ball is one of the best weapons against breaking down teams who defend in numbers and we've definitely got one in TAA. And because of his speed and long stride, he has an easier time creating a yard of space for himself than, let's say, Milner. It's very hard to defend against a player like that and this is one of the few instances when defending in large numbers doesn't really make any difference – because there are only 2 very specific places on the trajectory of the ball where it can be intercepted and all other defenders are nullified when the ball is airborne. I always maintained that there is no single solution to our problems with teams who defend deep – multiple things will be required to solve this problem and it seems one of these solutions is developing in front of our eyes.

 

[dmishra]

Why have we taken him off corner duties?


Milner and Salah took all out corners against Maribor, and they were all shit.

Half the time I wish our corners were just goal kicks because our scoring rate from them is about 1 in 300.

 

[Judge Jules]

Agree about the importance of crossing but it creates a dilemma over on the left. The new improved version of Moreno deserves to keep his place, but Robertson is a much better crosser of the ball and we really need our fullbacks to be doing that, given that our wide attackers play on their "wrong" wings and cut inside all the time.

 

[keniget]

As an aside, Moreno put in the ball of the game, which should’ve resulted in a goal for Salah. Should get a bit more credit even if his Liverpool balance is still in the red.

 

[Dreambeliever]

I thought this was gonna be a thread in Trippier

 

[gkmacca]

It's one of those things that you can't get from watching on TV, but the sound that he makes striking the ball is so true, his technique is excellent. Maybe he'll be good taking penalties, too!

 

[Frogfish]

As an aside, Moreno put in the ball of the game, which should’ve resulted in a goal for Salah. Should get a bit more credit even if his Liverpool balance is still in the red.

It was a brilliant cross. However Robertson is a lot more consistent crosser and should be starting more games IMHO even for that alone (to say nothing of being a better defender). I simply can't fathom out why he doesn't. Moreno's pace in getting back on breakaways perhaps ?

 

[gkmacca]

Moreno's pace in getting back on breakaways perhaps ?

Lovren will soon be sending Moreno a death threat. If he IS fast enough to get back, it's about time he showed it.

 

[Portly]

Lovren will soon be sending Moreno a death threat. If he IS fast enough to get back, it's about time he showed it.

Agree that Lovren has suffered from having to cover the left flank while Moreno wanders around in the opposition half.

 

[Judge Jules]

Also agree. Sami could do it for JAR without his game suffering, but Lovren's no Sami Hyypiä.

 

[juniormember]

Also agree. Sami could do it for JAR without his game suffering, but Lovren's no Sami Hyypiä.

JAR was a far better defender than Moreno as well though.

 

[Judge Jules]

Technically yes, in that he was a much better tackler who didn't have to rely on the kamikaze diving in which has characterised too much of Moreno's defending up till now (though in fairness that's improving this season). In terms of positioning I reckon they're much of a muchness - JAR frequently got stranded upfield and opposition teams regularly tried to play on that. The reason it worked only sporadically is that we had one of our greatest ever defenders covering behind him.

 

[SummerOnions]

I remember the long ball going over Riise's head a zillion times...