Trent Alexander-Arnold

[Tommy Cockles]

Hasn't got his own thread has he?  I did check. 

 

Anyways, what a prospect.

 

I've not been as enthused since....well Gerrard.

 

Might be cliched but having a Scouser in the side feels right as well.

 

I think the lad has everything, and he's got a good edge to him too.

 

His celebration at the whistle in front of the Burnley player who had shoved him needlessly as he shepherded the ball out just before was spot on.

 

Long way to go, still very early blah blah, but I reckon he is set to become a hyphened legend.

[kop205]

When he lined up that shot from a good way out I was actually thinking 'Go ed lad, hit it' as opposed to 'Noooooo, don't shoot' as I would for pretty much all bar about 3 or 4 other players in the squad.

[Swipe]

Has a proper swinging cross on him too. Get him on corners.

[Hassony]

Did he play much at RB at youth level? I always thought he was more of a midfielder, but he can go on to be a proper modern world class right back

[Tommok]

Has a proper swinging cross on him too. Get him on corners.

Yeah he took quite a few corners a while back and was generally great at them, but he doesn't seem to take them very often anymore.

[Tommy Cockles]

When he lined up that shot from a good way out I was actually thinking 'Go ed lad, hit it' as opposed to 'Noooooo, don't shoot' as I would for pretty much all bar about 3 or 4 other players in the squad.

 

Yeah the lad can shoot, plenty of confidence as well

 

 

Has a proper swinging cross on him too. Get him on corners.

 

Yeah, although we have scored a few later its an area we are pretty poor at, as we all know.

 

Did he play much at RB at youth level? I always thought he was more of a midfielder, but he can go on to be a proper modern world class right back

 

I think he's said his favoured position is CM but TBH I think he can play in a few positions. RB is the opening ATM, could change though.

 

Yeah he took quite a few corners a while back and was generally great at them, but he doesn't seem to take them very often anymore.

 

Yeah, as per previous.  Get him back on them. Strikes a good dead ball as evidenced by that FK in Hoffenheim.

[growler]

Love those crosses he puts in - right down the channel.

[Tommok]

Yeah, as per previous. Get him back on them. Strikes a good dead ball as evidenced by that FK in Hoffenheim.

With VVD in the team, we might actually score from a few too

[Drexl]

With VVD in the team, we might actually score from a few too

We have scored from a few lately.

[Tommok]

We have scored from a few lately.

OK, "..a few MORE..."

[Jarg Armani]

I thought his shot was flying in

[Drexl]

OK, "..a few MORE..."

Oh, I agree! But we have quite a few decent set ball takers in the team now. Coutinho, TAA, Salah and Ox are all good, hopefully we’ll be even stronger with VvD.

[Maldini]

Did he play much at RB at youth level? I always thought he was more of a midfielder, but he can go on to be a proper modern world class right back

 

Played RB up to u16 level when he was moved to defensive midfield, played all over the place for the 18s including CB, DM, CM, AM and RM but settled in as a RB mostly. He's always been a RB for the 23s. I think he's just a naturally talented footballer, he could end up playing anywhere in midfield as well. 

[RP]

And supposedly he is a really nice lad.

Which is nice.

[Nerik]

The Gerrard comparisons are hard to avoid and he does a lot in his game that reminds one of a young Stevie. Very powerful, very versatile, very technically gifted and very hard-working. 

[kop205]

There was a raw physicality and strength about Gerrard that I think makes the comparison pretty moot.

 

And to be honest I'm happy to let him develop without that albatross hanging around his neck.

[Tommy Cockles]

Of course.  My only comparison with Gerrard is the excitement of him as a prospect.

 

Different players, though not worlds apart TBF

[Tommok]

Oh, I agree! But we have quite a few decent set ball takers in the team now. Coutinho, TAA, Salah and Ox are all good, hopefully we’ll be even stronger with VvD.

I was thinking more about VVD scoring headed goals from corners, which we have generally been pretty dismal at.

 

But yeah VVD has scored a few goals direct from free kicks.

 

I think he's going to struggle to get the ball off Coutinho for taking direct free kicks from around the box tho, and rightly so.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

There's little questioning his pure ability, so really - injuries aside - how far he goes is all about what's in his head. And so far that seems totally in the right place. 

 

He's by far my favourite player of the young'uns. 

[Case]

The long pass to Firmino v Swansea.

 

Jebus.

[Leo No.8]

The long pass to Firmino v Swansea.

 

Jebus.

That pass was a great example of how it’s difficult not to think of Gerrard when you see TAA playing at times. It was the most Gerrardy thing I’ve seen since he retired.

 

There’s no harm in saying there are elements of his style that are reminiscent - nobody is saying he’s going to be as good or that he’s ‘the next Gerrard’.

 

He’s a massive talent in his own right. I reckon he must have been directly involved in about 6-7 goals already from right back, which is pretty remarkable given the position and how many games he’s played.

Edited January 3, 2018 by Leo No.8

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

He's scored more for us than Clyne and the same as Bertie

 

And he's played 26 games

[Bailo]

I think he's going to struggle to get the ball off Coutinho for taking direct free kicks from around the box tho, and rightly so.

Not sure that'll be an issue for much longer.

[Candystore]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/06/sports/soccer/liverpool-alexander-arnold.html

 

Good read.

[Leo No.8]

Good read.

 

His ceiling is incredibly high. I think the biggest question is whether we aim to develop him into one of the best full backs in Europe, or change his position. He’s got all the tools to play in the centre of midfield but do you want to mess with that when he’s coming on so well?

Edited February 6, 2018 by Leo No.8