Liverpool have been keen to just accept Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shortcomings as a way to benefit from his world-class capability on the ball.
Make no mistake: criticism of his defensive capabilities was virtually definitely overblown.
After all, that hardly stopped the likes of Gary Neville and his fellow pundits from lambasting our vice-captain through the years.
With Jeremie Frimpong, one other unorthodox fullback, set to grace the Premier League, one would possibly fairly anticipate he’ll develop into the ex-Manchester United man’s subsequent goal.
Jeremie Frimpong is readying himself for the Premier League
The 24-year-old already has one vital benefit underneath his belt forward of his anticipated transfer to English soccer. Bundesliga soccer is deemed to be essentially 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.
Nevertheless, 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 reviews on X (previously Twitter) that the proper wing-back has been working with personal coaches on his one-v-one defending.
Inside Frimpong’s transfer to #LFC.🇳🇱– Instructed 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 carry his canine Maru to Merseyside.🐶 https://t.co/TC6lWvpzvS
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) Could 17, 2025
What has Gary Neville mentioned about Trent’s defending?
To be honest to Neville, he’s been removed from alone in going for Alexander-Arnold over the standard of his defending.
Although it could be unfair to counsel the Sky Sports activities pundit has been something apart from a distinguished spokesperson for the anti-Trent brigade.
“All I’ve mentioned within the final two or three years, possibly 4 years, is for him to get slightly bit extra critical about his defending,” the Englishman mentioned 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 characteristic in Liverpool’s large 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 slightly unfair to match two gamers who’ve carried out basically completely 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 outstanding dribbling and one-on-one abilities.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, against this, can impression the ultimate third from a variety of deeper positions by advantage of his unreal passing vary and imaginative and prescient.
The Dutchman’s significantly decrease dribbled previous charge (0.4 per recreation 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 along with his floor duel win proportion.
Trent Alexander-Arnold stats
Jeremie Frimpong stats
1.87 xG
4.2 xG
7.06 xA
4.65 xA
14 large possibilities created
6 large possibilities created
Dribbled previous 1.7 instances per recreation
Dribbled previous 0.4 instances per recreation
49.2% floor duels received per recreation
45.4% floor duels received per recreation
Possession misplaced 17.5 instances per recreation
Possession misplaced 10.5 instances per recreation
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