BIG NEWS
What Makes Alexander Arnold And Andrew Robertson Such A Deadly Fullback Partnership?
Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander Arnold have been pivotal to Liverpool’s success under Jurgen Klopp.
The fullback duo has been excellent for the Reds this season as well, with Robertson making 11 and Alexander Arnold registering 14 goal contributions.
Even though both of these players are defenders by trade, they are more important to Liverpool’s playing style as attacking outlets.
How did that happen?
How full backs have evolved
In the early 2000s, fullbacks’ roles were more conventional.
With the 4-4-2 being the template formation, most top teams would deploy their right-backs and left-backs to deal with the wider threats.
You wouldn’t have found many managers who would have licensed their fullbacks to bombard the flanks.
But, the landscape has changed now.
In modern football, many teams rely on their fullbacks to provide width to their attack.
Their attacking and defensive roles are now equally important.
Offensive minded full backs
In some cases, the attacking attributes take precedence over the defensive ones. Joao Cancelo is a very good example of that, who operates as a subsidiary midfielder in the Manchester City lineup under Pep Guardiola.
The defensive shapes of modern teams are getting narrower.
Therefore, managers are moving away from the traditional approach of attacking through the middle.
As teams strengthen the core of their defence, they concede more space in wider regions.
With high-flying full backs, managers can exploit the extra space on the flanks during attacks.
Trent Alexander Arnold and Andrew Robertson have become the masters of this trade.
Their goal-assist tally over the last four seasons is a testament of their attacking acumen.
Andrew Robertson Goals/Assists In The Premier League (Last 4 Seasons)
Season | Matches | Assists | Goals |
18/19 | 36 | 11 | 0 |
19/20 | 36 | 12 | 2 |
20/21 | 38 | 7 | 1 |
21/22 | 19 | 9 | 1 |
Trent Alexander-Arnold Goals/Assists In The Premier League (Last 4 Seasons)
Season | Matches | Assists | Goals |
18/19 | 29 | 12 | 1 |
19/20 | 38 | 13 | 4 |
20/21 | 36 | 7 | 2 |
21/22 | 23 | 10 | 2 |
The multi-talented Trent
Trent Alexander Arnold has a diverse range of passing. The 23-year-old can pick up one of his teammates inside the opposition box from almost any part of the pitch.
In both dead-ball and in-play situations, he can put the ball in from any distance.
Trent is a superb crosser of the ball. This season he has attempted 87 crosses in 23 Premier League outings, which means he puts in 3.78 crosses inside the penalty box every match.
His deliveries are a constant threat to opposition defenders.
The most frequent routine in Trent’s attacking play is a cross flying into the box from the right flank.
Mohamed Salah remains on the wing as Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota, or Fabinho rushes in to meet the cross.
Andy Robertson’s strengths
In terms of playmaking abilities, Andrew Robertson is a more versatile player than Trent, as he possesses various characteristics that allow him to advance the ball in other ways than passing.
The Scottland international makes far more use of his speed than Alexander-Arnold, frequently collecting the ball around the Liverpool penalty box and then sprinting into the final third in search of his forward colleagues.
Robertson also has the edge in terms of physicality. He is more adept in bulldozing through the defenders than his right-back counterpart.
His muscular frame and ability to maintain balance even at top speed serve him well in these scenarios. Trent is the better dribbler between the two, but Robertson has enough skills up his sleeve to leave defenders on his trail every once in a while.
Set pieces
Both Robertson and Trent are in charge of set-pieces for Liverpool.
The right-footed/left-footed combo comes in handy to float in menacing deliveries from both corners.
Trent Alexander Arnold has established himself as one of the most dangerous free-kick takers in the league.
He has scored three free-kick goals in the Premier League since 2019/20; only James Ward Prowse (8) has scored more.
The rise of Alexander Arnold and Andrew Robertson symbolizes the paradigm shift in football, which encourages the fullbacks to have more involvement in the attacking buildup.
Players like Kyle Walker and Ben Chilwell contribute significantly to their team’s attack, but you won’t find a deadlier fullback pairing in the world than Liverpool’s.
BIG NEWS
WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo storms off pitch after throwing his runner’s-up medal into stands
Cristiano Ronaldo and his AL-Nassr side lost the Riyadh Cup to AL Hilal on Saturday. It was a clinical performance from the Al-Hilal side as they won the match 2-0. It was a frustrating night for the Portugal legend as he was heckled by the fans in the crowd.
The cameras panned to Cristiano Ronaldo who was swarmed by his teammates. There were chants cheering on Lionel Messi from the stands. Already peeved after losing the game, Ronaldo lost his cool and threw his medal at the fans.
Watch the video here:
Ronaldo thought he was getting player of the Match/tournament and then left the pitch furiously because he lost both trophies to savic and mitrovic lol 😭pic.twitter.com/1kk5fH4VH5
— ACE (fan) (@FCB_ACEE) February 9, 2024
During the game, Ronaldo was seen showing disgraceful actions towards the AL-Hilal fans. A scarf which was thrown his way saw the Portugal superstar rub it in the most inappropriate area. The 39-year-old earned the ire of the fans after this incident came to light.
AL-Hilal down AL-Nassr to win Riyadh Cup 2024 –
The 2024 Riyadh Cup final saw some amazing football being played. Cristiano Ronaldo was all smiles as WWE Superstar The Undertaker came out to place the trophy. Once the action began it was an end-to-end encounter as both teams went hard at goal.
Serbian star Sergej-Milinkovic Savic opened the scoring in the 17th minute of the game. It was two-nil 13 minutes later as Salem Aldaswari scored an amazing goal. That was the end of the contest despite an hour left in the game to be played.
There was no way back for the Al Nassr side as they looked clueless in front of goal. Not many chances were created by Ronaldo and his team. Al Hilal’s defense held their own against a rampaging Al Nassr side in the last few minutes.
There was pandemonium in the stands as the final whistle was sounded and the Al Hilal fans celebrated. There was a chorus of Messi chants which visibly irked Ronaldo at the end of the game.
Ever since his move from Manchester United in late 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo has changed Saudi Football. The likes of Karim Benzema and N Golo Kante are currently playing in the Saudi Pro League. AL Hilal themselves signed noted Brazilian sensation Neymar who sic out injured. With the veteran star in the twilight of his career, this kind of behaviour is least expected from Cristiano Ronaldo.
BIG NEWS
Sandeep Lamichhane convicted of molestation, jailed for eight years
Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane has been convicted of raping a 17-year-old in 2022. During the case, he kept playing for the team, notably during the Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup qualifier in June last year. After the case was filed, he was playing for eventual winners, Jamaica Tallawahs. The leg-spinner was released from the team and was taken into custody.
“I know I am facing a difficult time of conspiracy and wrongful allegation and the ramification of its effect is something unimaginable. I am sure there must be some mechanism of compensating to the accused who proven to be innocent in our legal system,” he wrote. “I will soon seek legal support against wrongful prosecution and allegation made against me and I am sure I will get the justice and will return to the cricket ground soon to make the name and fame of my beloved country and I pray for speedy trial.”
After landing home, the former Delhi Capitals player claimed that the allegations made against him were baseless.
“All these things affected me mentally on one hand and on the other hand, I had to go through illness, and due to mental stress and ill health I kept myself in isolation. I have been mentally and physically affected by the portrayal and I have reached a state of imbalance and I have been bringing myself back to a normal state under the advice of doctors. My health is gradually improving, and I am planning to return to Nepal as soon as possible to defend against the false complaint against me,” the leggie wrote on Facebook in September 2022.
Talking about the current status, the bench also slapped him with a fine of Rs 300,000 (USD 2255 approx) and ordered him to pay Rs 200,000 (USD 1500 approx) in compensation to the victim. Lamichhane’s lawyer, Saroj Ghimire, told AFP that he “will appeal the decision in a higher court.”
Sandeep Lamichhane’s career at a glance
He is the first Nepal player to play in IPL, PSL, CPL, and several other leagues. He made his international debut at the age of 18
BIG NEWS
WATCH: Gautam Gambhir makes endearing comment while answering question related to Virat Kohli
Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir is believed to have a personal dislike for former India skipper Virat Kohli. Over the years, Gambhir has been critical of the 2008 U19 World Cup-winning captain on a lot of issues. Not to forget, Gambhir has been vocal about not the media should be worshipping individual players.
During a talk show on Star Sports, the two-time World Cup winner was asked about the bowler Kohli faced while completing his 50th ODI hundred. As Gambhir gave the right answer, he also mentioned that his rivalry is with Kohli which stays on the field only.
Watch the video here
Kohli 🤝 Gambhir
That smile at the end tho 😄pic.twitter.com/jSXz2xFUE6— Ishan Joshi (@ishanjoshii) December 23, 2023
He replied:
“Lockie Ferguson.”
Gambhir then smilingly went on to add:
“Ye aap baar baar dikhana, mujhe sab kuch yaad rehta hai. Ladai meri sirf on the field hai (Please show this clip again and again, I remember everything. My fight is only on the field)”
I want Virat Kohli to bat with the same intent he is known for: Gautam Gambhir
In another conversation. Gambhir said that Kohli must bat the same way against South Africa in the two-match Test series the way he does. Notably, the latter won’t play the practice game as he has come back to India for personal reasons. However, the right-hander will be available for the series.
“It will be in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s minds that Shreyas Iyer, who is on his first tour, will be batting after Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, if he plays, will be playing as a wicketkeeper for the first time. However, I want Virat Kohli to bat with the same intent he is known for.”
India’s squad for Tests: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk)
Tuesday | 26-Dec-23 to 30-Dec-23 | 1st Test | Centurion |
Wednesday | 03-Jan-24 to 07-Jan-24 | 2nd Test | Cape Town |
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