As the Reds prepare to face Rangers in the Champions League at Anfield this evening, here's your Liverpool FC morning digest for Tuesday, October 4.
'Absolutely obscene' - Gary Neville in detailed analysis of Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool
Gary Neville has detailed how Trent Alexander-Arnold can become one of the greatest right-backs ever if he works on the 'basics' of his defending.
The 23-year-old has been under the spotlight for his part in Liverpool's poor start to the season, with defensive errors contributing to just two league wins in seven - it must be said, however, that Alexander-Arnold is far from the only one to blame. Gareth Southgate's decision to drop the West-Derby born star from his matchday squad to face Germany once again called into question his chances of a World Cup place and prompted debate as to who is at fault for Alexander-Arnold's undoubtable qualities not being utilised.
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And after the young defender's mistakes in Saturday's 3-3 draw against Brighton, fellow right-back Neville assigned a large portion of their Monday Night Football coverage to explain how the Reds star can fix his defensive problems to become an all-time great full-back.
I wanted to do this piece for a long time, not from a point of criticism in any way shape or form, but Trent is not a young player anymore. He’s young in his age, but he’s actually got 250 matches for Liverpool and England, that's a mountain of games to have. So what surprises me still when I watch him, is three or four of the very basic things of full-back play.
“There are lots of things: communicating, determination, aggression, winning the ball back, sensing danger - there are all those things but there are four very basic things that I was taught. These things can be taught in training and they can be coached every day because I know I was a very poor full-back at the age of 20. I’d been a centre-back, I didn't know how to defend 1v1, I didn't know how to hold my position on that side, I didn't know where my distances should be, I certainly didn't know where my body shape should be and I had to learn all those things over a two-or-three-year period.
“In transition, you have to go forward now as a full-back, you have to then sprint back. We just saw a clip that Carra showed against Newcastle he doesn't always sprint back, in fact he ambles back at times.
“In 1v1 defending, keep your body position low and crouched, body shape should be opened when the ball is on the opposite side of the pitch - these are areas where you will concede goals as a full-back - and then when you’re in the box you have to scan, you have to rotate your head."
Read Gary Neville's full detailed analysis of Trent Alexander-Arnold HERE.
Kostas Tsimikas makes Calvin Ramsay prediction after Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool scrutiny
Kostas Tsimikas has backed Calvin Ramsay to challenge for a place in the Liverpool starting XI after returning to training last week.
The Scotland Under-21s international joined the Reds from Aberdeen in the summer, but is yet to play for Jurgen Klopp 's side after an injury was spotted in the player's medical. But despite the teenager's lack of availability so far, the Greece international has been impressed by what he has seen from his new teammate.
And with Ramsay already catching the Greek's eye in training, Tsimikas has backed him to push the currently out-of-form Trent Alexander-Arnold for a starting role and replicate the left-back's own impact by providing competition for Andy Robertson.
"He's a good lad. When he came to the team, even when he was injured, we spent some time together and I tried to learn about him and see what kind of guy he is.," Tsimikas told reporters ahead of Liverpool 's clash with Rangers. "He is a great lad and I think he will help the team.
"Now he is fully fit, I saw him in training and he did very good stuff. When you are a good player, you can challenge the guy who plays in front of you so why not? I think he will bring good competition."
Read the full story HERE.
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Jurgen Klopp faces major Darwin Nunez decision as Liverpool consider defence overhaul
Giovanni van Bronckhorst makes 'best Liverpool team' claim ahead of Rangers clash
