Liverpool analysis: Trent Alexander-Arnold, victim of his own success when a new star emerges

Captain Trent

While a 1-1 draw with FC Midtjylland in a Champions League tie is not a famous European night that Liverpool fans will remember, it is one that Trent Alexander-Arnold will never forget.

The 22-year-old was the captain of his childhood team for the first time in his career, fulfilling a lifelong dream and following in the footsteps of two of his heroes.

The third-youngest captain in Reds history, the right-back was also Liverpool’s youngest captain in a European competition since Jamie Carragher against Rapid Bucharest in 2000.

Meanwhile, receiving the armband at the age of 22, Alexander-Arnold follows the path of Steven Gerrard, who served as Sami Hyypia’s vice-captain for a year before being named permanent captain at age 23 in October. 2003..

While he idolized Gerrard and Carragher, the next generation idolized him.

A winner of the Premier League, the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup, Scouser has already achieved a lot in his young career.

However, he will be disappointed at how the night turned out with Liverpool’s young and shaky defensive display in the second half that ultimately cost them all three points on a night calling for a leader.

Unable to advance and impact the game as much as he would like, Alexander-Arnold is clearly still feeling his way back from injury.

With his first start in a month after his return against the Wolves, it is true that he has endured a stop-and-go campaign.

Injured in the preseason, the right-back has been trying to catch up from the beginning of this unprecedented campaign and has yet to show the demonstrations that led to him being named PFA Young Player of the Season last season.

His assist for Liverpool’s fourth goal against Wolves was his first nationally this season and, while his total of three assists in 13 appearances this season is respectable, it highlights the talent of the defender who has failed to meet the standards that has established before.

The captaincy can wait, for now he must focus on getting back in top form and getting back to his best.

With Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Virgil van Dijk and Gini Wijnaldum ahead of him in the captaincy ranks, Alexander-Arnold will have to be patient for this opportunity again, even as the Liverpool side continue to be plagued with injuries.

He has the right leaders to learn from, and while he did not put up a fitting performance for the occasion against Midtjylland and will not inherit the bracelet permanently anytime soon, rest assured that his time will come.

VAR-RRRGGH

What about Liverpool and VAR?

Whether in the Premier League or the Champions League, the Reds are never too far from their latest controversy over video technology.

And while Sunday saw a rare case of VAR awarded in favor of Liverpool to overturn a Wolves penalty decision, the Reds were left cursing once again in Denmark against Midtjylland.

It was first used to award a penalty to the Danes after Caoimhin Kelleher was judged to have cut Anders Dreyer, despite the assistant referee’s ruling for offside, although a VAR angle appeared belatedly to show the forward in line with the last Liverpool defender.

It’s hard to ignore such comparisons to October’s Merseyside derby when Virgil van Dijk saw his season ended with an atrocious challenge from Jordan Pickford, only no penalty was awarded because the Dutchman was offside by the narrowest margin.

So what is the correct decision?

In a decision in favor of Liverpool, the Danes were denied a winner when Alexander Scholz from an acute angle only to be ruled for offside after a lengthy VAR review.

But the most controversial was yet to come, as the last winner of Takumi Minamino was ruled out for a handball against Sadio Mane with the angles of the incident unclear.

The VAR was supposed to be introduced to make life easier for officials, but in reality it is an inconsistent and confusing mess.

And unlike Hawkeye who discards goals by the narrowest margin of the line, all that VAR has done is induce further debate.

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With the intention of warning of clear and obvious errors, we are now well beyond that use.

A decision may be technically accurate, but the ability of a forward timing his career to stay in play with the benefit of the doubt is now a thing of the past.

In a year in which the sport has already been struggling without the passion of fans inside the stadiums, this cold way of controlling the matches has robbed football of its humanity.

Is it any wonder that Jurgen Klopp admitted that he is no longer in favor of the system after the game?

Leighton living the dream

Having made his debut for Liverpool last season in a 5-0 loss to Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup, before ending in a 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town, Leighton Clarkson was able to run around Jurgen Klopp. for the first time. weather Wednesday night.

While his third outing at the club might have been his first chance to play for ‘Liverpool proper’, the 19-year-old can sleep well after a job well done on his Champions League debut.

The Reds’ injury crisis has forced them to turn to several youngsters this season and most have delivered.

Curtis Jones is now well established in Klopp’s first team squad, following in the footsteps of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Neco Williams is building on his performances last season as he seeks a spot in the EURO 2020 Wales squad and Caoimhin Kelleher. and Rhys Williams have ensured the Anfield product line continues to produce.

And while the duo have seized their opportunities in Europe this season, it was Clarkson’s turn in Denmark.

The most prominent player on Liverpool’s youngest team to play in the Champions League, his passing was a particular highlight in midfield as it showed his ability as a number six to justify his start.

The Reds’ midfield is well prepared, so additional opportunities this season could be limited, but Clarkson has shown he can be trusted if asked.