Liverpool have been keen to simply accept Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shortcomings so as to make the most of his world-class skill on the ball.
Make no mistake: criticism of his defensive capabilities was virtually actually overblown.
After all, that hardly stopped the likes of Gary Neville and his fellow pundits from lambasting our vice-captain over time.
With Jeremie Frimpong, one other unorthodox fullback, set to grace the Premier League, one would possibly moderately count on he’ll turn out to be the ex-Manchester United man’s subsequent goal.
Jeremie Frimpong is readying himself for the Premier League
The 24-year-old already has one important benefit below his belt forward of his anticipated transfer to English soccer. Bundesliga soccer is deemed to be probably the most corresponding to the bodily calls for of the Premier League.
This could, theoretically, be of some profit to Frimpong forward of his upcoming switch to Liverpool.
Nonetheless, the previous Celtic star has already made clear efforts at self-improvement, which also needs to stand him in good stead in England.
Ben Jacobs experiences on X (previously Twitter) that the fitting wing-back has been working with personal coaches on his one-v-one defending.
Inside Frimpong’s transfer to #LFC.🇳🇱– Informed 12 months in the past he was a prime FB goal.🥇– Payments himself as a extra conventional RB.🧱– Works with personal coaches on one vs. one defending.🏃– Newfound ardour for self-development books.📕– Will deliver his canine Maru to Merseyside.🐶 https://t.co/TC6lWvpzvS
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) Might 17, 2025
What has Gary Neville stated about Trent’s defending?
To be truthful to Neville, he’s been removed from alone in going for Alexander-Arnold over the standard of his defending.
Although it will be unfair to recommend the Sky Sports activities pundit has been something apart from a distinguished spokesperson for the anti-Trent brigade.
“All I’ve stated within the final two or three years, perhaps 4 years, is for him to get just a little bit extra severe about his defending,” the Englishman stated again in 2023.
Gary Neville went on so as to add: “What he does need to be just isn’t a legal responsibility. There have been instances within the final three or 4 years the place that has been a standout function in Liverpool’s massive video games, the place he’s been too straightforward to beat and too straightforward to get at.”
The pundit did caveat his commentary with an acknowledgement of our No.66’s prowess on the ball.
However that is hardly the one occasion the place the 26-year-old’s defensive capabilities have been remoted.
How does Frimpong evaluate defensively?
It’s just a little unfair to match two gamers who’ve carried out essentially totally different capabilities.
Jeremie Frimpong is significantly extra more likely to enterprise additional afield into the opponent’s 18-yard field, the place he can utilise his exceptional dribbling and one-on-one abilities.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, against this, can impression the ultimate third from a spread of deeper positions by advantage of his unreal passing vary and imaginative and prescient.
The Dutchman’s significantly decrease dribbled previous fee (0.4 per sport to Trent’s 1.7) is arguably extra indicative of the truth that he spends extra time in superior positions.
Definitely, it doesn’t appear to stay constant together with his floor duel win share.
Trent Alexander-Arnold stats
Jeremie Frimpong stats
1.87 xG
4.2 xG
7.06 xA
4.65 xA
14 massive probabilities created
6 massive probabilities created
Dribbled previous 1.7 instances per sport
Dribbled previous 0.4 instances per sport
49.2% floor duels received per sport
45.4% floor duels received per sport
Possession misplaced 17.5 instances per sport
Possession misplaced 10.5 instances per sport
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