Klopp’s commitment

In recent memory, there have been two behemoths of English, and European for that matter, football. It’s undeniable the influence and history both Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have made for Manchester City and Liverpool respectively. While I enjoy seeing the masterclass that Manchester City squads have displayed in recent years, there has been something attractive, effective, and efficient about Klopp’s Liverpool’s teams that make them a better viewing experience as a fan of the sport.
In their recent match against league leading Arsenal (9.4.23) Liverpool reminded us of what made them so fun to watch from the start of Klopp’s tenure. Long balls from the backline, excellent 1–2’s with midfielders/wingers, and confidence between teamates to try riskier passes knowing where their teammates would be. However, it was two slips on defense, that led to two relatively easy Arsenal goals early on.
While I could go on about the beauty of how some plays were built up from Liverpool, and how they truly deserved more than two goals on the day to result in a draw, there was one clear underlying issue that stagnates the team from the backline forward — Positional commitment from the most talented players.
Watching the game, one player stands out the most from Liverpool, as is usually the case for players who start play from the 1st to 2/3rd of the pitch, it is Trent Alexander-Arnold. As fans, we’ve Trent start from an abnormally young wingback with sneaky creativity and blossom into a threat on both side of the pitch with both confidence for creative and risky build up play as well as the ability to stay ahead of the best attackers on pace. On quite a number of Arsenal buildups from the left side, we’d see Fabinho, Konate, and Trent scrambling and switching for who would cover the wing, mid, and cb positions. This directly led to Arsenal’s second goal, allowing Martinelli just enough free time to beautifully weigh a cross to a free Gabriel Jesus in the box.
This is becoming both a turning point for Trent Alexander-Arnold’s career, as well as a defining moment in Jurgen Klopp’s managerial career. It makes sense for Liverpool to have a fluid system; allowing players along the pitch to interchange with one another when the timing is right. However, this is one of the rare moments where this system can hurt a player. Trent is on the verge of becoming one of football’s true greats, however he seems to be held back by responsibilities he’s outgrown from a creativity and workrate perspective. Change is good for everyone, and at this point it seems like Trent wants to move to a more possession heavy part of the field for Liverpool to showcase his eye for his teammates coupled with tremendous ball control.
By seeing how Klopp has allowed it so far, he’s acknowledged that Trent’s previous wingback position is behind him. However, this system that has worked so well for him in the past of allowing his players to move in and out of nearby positions, allows for the flurry of beautiful attacks and well timed defensive interceptions. In Liverpool’s premier league winning 19/20 campaign, they allowed the fewest goals in the league. As of 11.4.23, they are ranked 5th in the same category. So the question becomes, as is the buzzword in all large global companies, is this system sustainable for success? What may have worked in the past will not always be the answer in the present, it seems this is happening to Klopp now.
He could theoretically move Trent to another team who would adapt their system to utilize him the way he’s growing into, maybe then he’ll find another wingback who stays more committed to their position rather than moving when they think is the best time to. Or, Jurgen can adjust his own system to allow Trent the ability to move further up the pitch and stay commited as Liverpool’s CDM to not have to double up with Fabinho/Konate’s defensive duties on the wing or the centerback spot. As I mentioned earlier, this is a turning point for both Klopp’s system, as well as the playing career of someone who could be discussed in the future as one of the all time great footballers if given the right environment.
On a personal note, I loved the matchups between Manchester City and Liverpool in the past years. I believe both teams’ styles of play are inspirations for the rest of the world to follow. I do want Liverpool’s style to thrive, however it seems that it cannot in this new world of teams preying on any weakness possible and attacking it at will. This fluid triangle of Wingback/Center Defensive Mid/Centerback, allows for multiple moments of vulnerability which top quality teams can find instantaneously, especially with one integral part of that triangle not rigid enough to maintain it. I believe Klopp should make Trent the designated CDM and have Konate and Fabinho play the wing and centerback respectively. However, this is Klopp’s system, and we’ve all seen the magic his system has created in the past.