Liverpool could sign “one of the best” full-backs

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contractual scenario has turn out to be extremely tedious in current weeks, with the decibels rising among the many Spanish press this week as Actual Madrid look to swipe Liverpool’s homegrown celebrity.

Nevertheless, the 26-year-old hasn’t let such noise detract from his performances below Arne Slot’s wing, showcasing a troublesome defensive facet unseen throughout his profession below Jurgen Klopp whereas oozing class and magnificence on the ball.

The pull of Santiago Bernabeu is robust, Europe’s palatial membership floor being the hothouse for trophies and an illustrious profession, however Trent is hardly scrounging for achievement inside his boyhood outfit, for Slot’s ways have put Liverpool within the driving seat for the Premier League title and a promising place within the Champions League too.

No matter whether or not the £180k-per-week expertise stays or leaves, Liverpool seem eager to put money into a brand new full-back this yr – although it may not be on the right-hand facet.

Liverpool’s seek for a full-back

On the backend of December, GIVEMESPORT reported that Liverpool are set to rival Manchester United for Antonee Robinson this yr. The arch-rivals are each eager on a brand new left-back, and the Fulham ace has been among the many most interesting gamers within the Premier League this season.

Robinson, 27, has began each top-flight fixture this time period, captaining his squad usually since December. Fulham worth him as excessive as £50m and also you’d must admit that they’re nicely inside their proper. He is been sensible and contracted till 2028 apart from.

Liverpool know that they will current a extra interesting profession path than their beleaguered neighbours however United are invariably harmful within the switch market. With that in thoughts, FSG might hope that they go for Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez as an alternative, on condition that he has his sights set on Outdated Trafford.

Robinson would carry instantaneous outcomes to a Reds facet in search of the best honours each domestically and on the continent. Andy Robertson has been a stalwart over so a few years, however he is merely not acting at his unbelievable one-time stage.

At no disrespect to the Scotsman, Robinson is outstripping him on the pitch this yr, however actually, Fulham’s Duracell Bunny might even be working at a flooring above Alexander-Arnold too.

How Robinson compares to Alexander-Arnold

Years of eating on the elite desk have established Liverpool’s broad defensive duo because the pre-eminent pairing. They’ve redefined the full-back function, in some methods, with tireless working and excellent creativity serving because the life-juice of the Klopp period.

Each Robertson and Alexander-Arnold stay core components of Liverpool’s first crew – the latter nonetheless arguably the most effective full-back on the planet – however that does not imply he is outperforming each single participant throughout this present marketing campaign.

Certainly, Robinson suffers from the affliction of not being a part of a ‘big-six’ membership. That sentence is facetious, in fact, however there’s a ring of fact there.

He is so full, so dynamic, so efficient throughout totally different phases and – crucially for Slot’s system – great on the ball, retaining with ease and choosing out excellent passes. Sky Sports activities’ Dougie Critchley has even gone so far as to explain him as “the most effective left-backs on the planet.”

With seven assists from 19 Premier League matches this time period, Robinson is behind solely Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka in that chart. Furthermore, he ranks extremely throughout defensive metrics whereas offering a relentless ball-carrying output. What a talent set, balanced so finely throughout each required space.

Trent, whereas spectacular this season, has did not outrank Robinson throughout any of the above-listed statistics, as per FBref. Alexander-Arnold is probably the most proficient and completed participant by far, however Robinson is at his apex proper now, acting at the next stage.

A more in-depth have a look at the defensive numbers additional illustrates this level. Liverpool’s quantity 66 has been a lot improved within the decrease division this time period, averaging 2.6 tackles per Premier League match whereas profitable 51% of his floor duels, as per Sofascore.

Robinson, nonetheless, offers much more eye-catching statistics, for the USMNT worldwide has chomped down on opponent with 2.8 tackles per sport (Sofascore), additionally profitable 58% of his whole duels.

It is admittedly tougher to tell apart them on condition that the respective full-backs play several types of video games, however for Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Carragher at the very least, they’re on the identical platform all the identical. Chalking down his mid-season predictions and rankings alongside Gary Neville, the Anfield icon paired the broad defenders in his up to date Staff of the Season.

Robinson may flip 28 at first of the 2025/26 marketing campaign however he is hardly doomed to deteriorate any time quickly. His inventory has been sky-high this season and it owes testomony to the incremental progress that he has cast throughout so a few years. Not all of them bore fruits.

Athletic, adept on the ball and fierce with out it, he is arguably been the most effective full-back within the Premier League this season. So far as the stats go, he is outperformed Liverpool’s imperious right-back.