Trent Alexander-Arnold’s early subbing off explained by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp
Speaking in the post-match press conference after Liverpool drew at Everton, Jurgen Klopp talked about an unusual early substitution for Trent Alexander-Arnold. James Milner replaced the right-back at the hour mark.
The 23-year-old played a minimum of 80 minutes in all of Liverpool’s league games bar two. He was subbed off in the 70th minute against Newcastle United. Additionally, he played around an hour against Everton today. Speaking about subbing Trent off early, the gaffer said it was merely “managing his minutes” and ruled out anything tactical.
With Calvin Ramsay just returning from an injury layoff, Liverpool do not have a recognised right-back to fill in for Trent, except James Milner. The 36-year-old does not have the legs to keep up with the pace of modern Premier League wingers and hence makes a few tactical fouls here and there.
Trent is playing all the time, Robbo is playing all the time and from time to time, like we have in the moment, we have alternatives there so that’s why we have to use them. That’s why we have to use them to bring fresh energy on the pitch, pretty much.”
Squad Rotation
With the UEFA Champions League kicking off next week, it is understandable that Klopp subbed one of his team’s superstars so early. Notably, Kostak Tsimikas started the game at left-back instead of Andrew Robertson.
Given Trent was not at his best during the game, it gave rise to the speculation that the move was tactical. The right-back didn’t have the best game, he could do much much better and even Klopp realised this.
“It’s nothing to do with his performance, even when I know Trent can play better than today definitely but it’s nothing to do with that. It’s just we have to get through this period, how it is, because, yes, players are coming back but they have to be reintegrated.”
Klopp also spoke about how important it is to bring different dynamics into the game at different stages through substitutions. But on the day, Klopp replaced Trent with Milner, which obviously didn’t work best.
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Joel Matip came into the fold a few moments later from the bench, pushing Joe Gomez to right-back. Eventually, Milner finished the game at central midfield. The gaffer talked about it being important to get through this period, with few players reintegrating with the set-up, either from an injury layoff, or situations like that.
Trent’s output has seen a bit of a fall off late, and some time on the sidelines can’t be too bad for the right-back. It is not just one or two players at the same time, the whole team is not clicking as much as they used to do, hence putting the fans in a worrisome situation.
