Liverpool Superstar Who Lost the Ball 25 Times Against Crystal Palace Has Just Become Droppable
Arne Slot has orchestrated a remarkable start to life in the post-Jürgen Klopp era, but one of the minor criticisms of his early tenure has been a reluctance to rotate the squad as Liverpool’s head coach in the Premier League.
Despite this, and with the exception of a stinging defeat by Nottingham Forest at Anfield, Liverpool enter the October international break sitting atop the Premier League standings. Their latest victory came in the early weekend clash against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Liverpool’s performance wasn’t exactly a game of two halves, but after a dominant opening, they struggled to capitalise fully, maintaining a slender one-goal lead through Diogo Jota’s early strike. Jota’s goal, which came before the tenth minute, was enough to secure the victory, despite Palace’s late pressure.
In this match, there were some encouraging changes in the lineup. Cody Gakpo, making his first Premier League start of the season, provided the assist for Jota’s goal. Gakpo’s driving run forward and a sweeping cross into the box allowed Jota to find the back of the net with a clinical finish.
Curtis Jones also featured, stepping in for Dominik Szoboszlai, whose tireless work rate may have left him unable to sustain playing every few days in such a demanding schedule.
Slot may have learned from this win in South London that even Liverpool’s biggest stars are not guaranteed starters, and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s place in the team could be more flexible than previously thought.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Performance in Numbers Against Palace
There’s no doubt that Alexander-Arnold performed well at Selhurst Park, delivering several intriguing forward passes and demonstrating strength in defensive situations.
| Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Performance vs Crystal Palace | |
|---|---|
| Match Stats | # |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Touches | 85 |
| Shots (on target) | 2 (1) |
| Accurate passes | 42/60 (70%) |
| Key passes | 2 |
| Possession lost | 25x |
| Dribbles (completed) | 0 (0) |
| Tackles | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Clearances | 1 |
| Total duels (won) | 5 (3) |
| Stats Source: Sofascore | |
Alexander-Arnold has created 15 significant chances in the Premier League this season, leading all defenders. Additionally, he has established himself as a solid defensive player, winning three duels, making two tackles, and executing one crucial clearance against Crystal Palace.
However, he appeared somewhat out of sorts with the ball, as he completed just one of his ten long ball attempts and lost possession 25 times.
While he has room for improvement, Liverpool have a strong alternative ready to step in. Conor Bradley should be given an opportunity to start sooner rather than later.
Why Trent Has Just Become Droppable for Liverpool
Could it be that Alexander-Arnold’s lack of a resolved contract is impacting his performance? The allure of Real Madrid, arguably the most enticing option in football, might be distracting him as he gazes longingly at the Spanish capital.
As one of Liverpool’s standout players, Alexander-Arnold is recognised as one of Europe’s premier playmakers and a key figure in the Premier League.
According to statistics from FBref, the England international ranks in the top 16% of full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored. He is also in the top 4% for assists and within the top 1% for shot-creating actions, attempted passes, and progressive passes per 90 minutes.
In essence, he brings a unique skill set to the role of full-back that is rarely seen in the position.
Bradley is certainly a promising young talent who hasn’t had much opportunity to display his skills under manager Slot this season, as he has yet to make a start in the Premier League.
Last season, he made a significant impact, emerging during a time when his senior teammate was recovering from a knee injury.
His memorable goal against Chelsea at the end of January stands out, but Bradley consistently showcased his talent in several matches, earning praise for his “superhuman” start in Liverpool’s first team from Jack Gill of The Redmen TV.
In the current season, he has only logged five minutes in the Champions League and has been an unused substitute in Liverpool’s last three league matches, participating only in the final moments of those games.
While Alexander-Arnold possesses a unique quality, Bradley also shines in attacking scenarios. He ranks in the top 19% among his positional peers for goals and shot-creating actions, the top 5% for assists, the top 10% for passes attempted, the top 5% for progressive carries, and the top 7% for tackles per 90 minutes.
Bradley’s energetic and driven style allows him to initiate powerful counter-attacks as he charges down the wing, creating confusion and concern for opposing defenders.
If Slot decides to utilise him more frequently, Bradley could provide Liverpool with a more dynamic style of play, introducing a new dimension to their approach that would help in breaking down stubborn defenses, even if Trent’s exceptional passing ability is capable of dismantling tight formations.
Alexander-Arnold is undoubtedly a remarkable player and one of Liverpool’s finest, but his performance against Palace demonstrated that he is not irreplaceable. In certain situations, opting for a different type of attacking outlet might yield more favorable results.
In other Liverpool news, 116 Touches, 99 Passes – 8/10 Liverpool Star Was Even Better Than Gravenberch v Palace
