Alexander-Arnold looks ready as he grabs his opportunity
By David Gate
Trent Alexander-Arnold continues his rapid development by grabbing his opportunity against Bayern Munich after Clyne is ruled out.
First the talk was we don’t need to sign a new right back because Trent Alexander-Arnold is a decent prospect and could play in a pinch. Then it became that he will be given opportunities to compete with Nathaniel Clyne. It quickly moved to the two players are in a direct battle for the starting berth. Now it looks like Alexander-Arnold is the better player and will start the season. Clyne has a job on to get his place back.
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Starting at right back away in the Allianz Arena is no small thing. He was facing a combination of Frank Ribéry and James Rodriguez; two players with incredible reputations. The Frenchman was his direct opponent and was a stern test. Dribbling and dancing down the Bayern left flank, the Liverpool youngster had much to concentrate on.
Yet none of it fazed him. Not the atmosphere, not the opportunity and certainly not the opportunity. Ribery was visibly frustrated that he could find no way to impose himself on the game and Rodriguez was nowhere to be found. Many remarking on Twitter that they had no idea he was even on the pitch.
It helps to have a goal lead. And then a two goal lead. He helps that Bayern were bricking it that we would hit them on the counter attack. Which was smart because we did.
Much has been made that Alexander-Arnold is good going forward by may prove a liability at the back. It didn’t look that way today. A strong defensive second half only boosted his standing with the Liverpool fans.
Teams are not going to through men forward against us. They are not going to let their full backs leave their positions with Mane and Salah just waiting to carve up the space they leave behind.
Next: Liverpool storm to victory against Bayern Munich
Right now Trent Alexander Arnold looks like our best right back and he should be given the role until someone else proves themselves to be better.