Liverpool full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have received special praise following the Reds’ 3-1 win over Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday. Liverpool defeated Manchester City 3-1 with the full-backs play key roles in the Reds’ attack. Alexander-Arnold and Robertson were unplayable going forward for Liverpool and were both important factors in shutting down Manchester City’s top attacking players.
Robertsons’ assist for Liverpool’s second goal, scored by Mohamed Salah, put them on the way to victory at Anfield. The dynamic duo was a major part of Liverpool’s attack and both have been tasked with being creative players all season long.
The numbers
This season’s statistics only solidify Alexander-Arnold and Robertson as the two best full-backs in the world right now.
The duo is currently No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in touches in the Premier League. Alexander-Arnold has 1,236 touches while Robertson has 1,162. The game flows through the pair as they are responsible for getting into attacking areas and giving the Reds width.
Robertson is tied for second in assists in the league with four while his teammate has tallied three. Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold is tied for playing the most Premier League minutes having appeared in 1,080, which equates to 90 minutes in all 12 matches this term.
Going a step further in the statistics of the full-backs, Alexander-Arnold and Robertson are in the top six of passes. Robertson is third with 849 while Alexander-Arnold has made 792 passes.
The Reds are cross kings as well. Alexander-Arnold leads the Premier League with 135 crosses. Meanwhile, Robertson has made 68.
The future for Alexander-Arnold and Robertson
There is the belief that one day soon Alexander-Arnold will move into midfield. However, conventional thinking is Liverpool would need to play a 4-4-2 formation or at least play with Alexander-Arnold in a wide area rather than centrally.
But what if Alexander-Arnold is the player to take over in the future for Mohamed Salah on the right side of a front three? He has the pace and crossing ability and could learn the goalscoring side of the game. Gareth Bale was a full-back before being moved up the pitch and into the attack for Tottenham Hotspur. It was a move that changed his career. Perhaps a similar one would one day benefit Alexander-Arnold.
Robertson will have not future in a front three but remains a left-back in demand. The duo is fuelling Liverpool’s attack in wide areas and much of the team’s success this season has come from their nonstop running and creativity.
