Former Premier League winner Chris Sutton has raved over the performances of Liverpool duo Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold against Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday night.
The two full backs were in imperious form at Anfield – offensively at least – with the latter setting up the former for the Reds’ second goal in their bizarre 4-3 victory over the Austrian side.
Sutton was very impressed: “It is not often you see a full back to full back goal. In fact, Wednesday night was the first time Trent Alexander-Arnold had assisted Andy Robertson in a match,” he wrote in his Daily Mail column.
“That moment, which saw Liverpool take a 2-0 lead at Anfield, summed up the importance and fearlessness of this full back duo. Alexander-Arnold and Robertson are two of the best in Europe and essential to the Jurgen Klopp style of play. They push high up the pitch. They add to the attack. If you allow them time and space in those wide areas, they will hurt you.”
OPINION
There’s no doubt that, as Sutton says, it’s a cardinal sin to let the Liverpool full backs have time and space out wide to work their magic. They are the best offensive full back duo in world football, capable of carving open even the most stubborn of defences. Simply put, Klopp’s team wouldn’t be what they are without Messrs Alexander-Arnold and Robertson. It was great to see the latter get on the scoresheet with a great team goal on Wednesday. The Scotland international started the move himself, and ended up finishing it by getting on the end of a tremendous cross from Alexander-Arnold. The statistics show that the two men were at their effervescent attacking best at Anfield. As per WhoScored.com, the England international made two key passes on Wednesday, while bagging an assist. Meanwhile, he had the most touches of any Liverpool player with 129, with 95 passes. Then there’s the former Hull City man, who managed to score with his only shot against Salzburg. He also completed a dribble and had the second most Reds’ touches with 126. So, as Sutton says, they were both excellent.
