Liverpool legend Steve Nicol hypes Conor Bradley as defensively better than Trent Alexander-Arnold amid rumours of interest from Real Madrid
Steve Nicol believes Conor Bradley is better than Trent Alexander-Arnold amid interest from Real Madrid for the Liverpool vice-captain. Nicols criticized Trent’s defensive abilities and made a wild price assumption about the 25-year-old despite his importance to the club.
Nicol has criticized the Reds vice-captain after the poor result against Arsenal when they lost the Premier League game 3-0. A torn lateral knee ligament injury sustained in that game has currently sidelined him.
Trent has faced relentless criticism about his defensive abilities from many fans and media despite his success as a right-back. The over-the-top critics forget that Liverpool’s style of play demanded Trent to be more adventurous, risking his positioning.
The 25-year-old has played more as an inverted right-back since the latter stages of the last season. Trent has been a pivotal part of Liverpool’s setup and singlehandedly changed many games for the Reds this season. Liverpool are currently second in the Premier League, behind Arsenal in goal difference in a title race involving Manchester City.
Furthermore, the Reds are challenging for the Europa League success after securing the Carabao Cup trophy. The Liverpool vice-captain has contributed two goals and 10 assists in all competitions, making 29 appearances this season.
Nicol told ESPN (h/t YouTube) that Bradley is “miles better” than Trent defensively and also great going forward. He said:
“I think the fact that Klopp’s leaving, it’s going to be interesting because as we have all said, Trent Alexander-Arnold, as a fullback, is a poor defender. There is no getting away from that. I don’t care who you support. What team you watch. Trent Alexander-Arnold isn’t a good defender. But he is so good going forward that it wouldn’t be a surprise if Real Madrid were to offer, I don’t know, £60, 70 or 80 million for Trent Alexander-Arnold when you have a young kid in Conor Bradley, who is a miles better defender, great going forward, but it’s in the same class as Trent.”
Playing narrower allowed Trent to dictate the team’s tempo and creativity, at the same time, his positioning improved. Critics find some of the criticisms understandable, but they underrate the Englishman’s defensive input.
He makes a high level of recoveries, reads the game well and only faces problems against world-class tricky wingers. Furthermore, Trent is gradually shifting to the central midfield role and he is the best playmaker that Liverpool possesses.
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The majority of the Liverpool fans cannot even entertain the idea of letting Trent go which makes this opinion from Nicol more baffling. The 25-year-old remains a key part of the senior team and has everything to leave a legacy that could even match legendary midfielder Steven Gerrard.
