There has been a lot of talk about Liverpool’s full-backs this summer and not all of it has been positive.
Nathaniel Clyne has been criticized for not being a good attacker, while 18-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold waits for his chance. Alberto Moreno started last season as first choice left back, but after just one game was replaced by James Milner who retained the position for the rest of the campaign. Many questions have been asked over both full-back positions, but do Liverpool really have a problem in those areas?
To start, Clyne is a great player, end of story. He doesn’t need replacing. He’s a good fullback who is just reaching his prime. Yes, his attacking play and decision making in the final third aren’t the best but over his two years at Anfield, Clyne has shown enough to prove how good he is.
His performances declined last season when Sadio Mané was out of the team. Mané’s pace and wing play meant that Clyne wasn’t the only source of width on the right, but with Mané out and Roberto Firmino filling in out wide for him, Clyne was given the task of being the team’s main attacking threat out wide. The presence of a proper winger will help Clyne immensely next season and at the other end of the field, Clyne is up there as one of the best fullbacks defensively in the league. The 26-year-old should start the season as first choice.
However, this doesn’t mean his position is safe. Alexander-Arnold impressed massively last season for both the under 23s and the senior team. Alexander-Arnold will definitely push for the right back spot and with so many games next season, he’ll get plenty of time to stake his claim.
The future of the left side of defence isn’t as clear as the right. Milner did an admirable job last season. Placed in a position he has never played before, he was a consistent 6 or 7 out of 10 every week. The problem is he isn’t left footed. How many times have we seen Milner run down the left, beat his man only to cut back on to his right foot then put in a poor cross? He slows down the attack too many times and a proper left footed, speedy left back would fix that problem. Sadly the only other left back at the club last year was Moreno!
Liverpool are set to bring in a new left back in Andrew Robertson. The 23-year-old Scotland international has just been relegated with Hull City and won’t be a big-money buy. What looks like an underwhelming purchase at first glance could actually be a very smart buy. For starters, he’s an actual left back, instantly offering something Milner can’t! He also has good pace, he’s comfortable in possession, he likes to take on his man, he’s still very young and £10million in today’s market is peanuts.
Many fans may look at the signing for Robertson as lackluster, but back in 2014 when two left backs, a young talented Spaniard named Moreno and a poor uninspiring Chelsea reject named Ryan Bertrand were linked with a move to Liverpool, I’m sure all fans would have never wanted Bertrand to get anywhere near a red kit and that turned out great didn’t it?
Jurgen Klopp has reportedly been keen on Robertson for over a year now and with his proven track record with signings so far at Liverpool, nobody should be judging Robertson before he even puts on the red shirt.
Over the last few years, the fullback position has become increasingly important in the modern game, including in Klopp’s Liverpool side. Clyne doesn’t deserve anywhere near the amount of criticism he gets, while Milner has done a much better job than most give him credit for. With Alexander-Arnold emerging as a top talent and Roberson soon to come in, I believe that Liverpool are perfectly equipped in the fullback positions.
