Given each United targets and the vast majority of the guests’ risk got here down his aspect, it was not obscure why Alexander-Arnold’s efficiency was questioned.
With Bruno Fernandes drifting left and the tempo of Dalot on that aspect too, it was a transparent plan to attempt to damage Liverpool down their proper.
Greater than half of United’s assaults – 54% to be exact – went on that aspect so he was dribbled previous twice which, in itself, will not be an enormous indictment on Alexander-Arnold’s efficiency.
Opta additionally confirmed he recorded no errors resulting in a shot, not to mention a aim.
The large challenge for Alexander-Arnold was that he misplaced all 5 of his duels within the match and, as such, didn’t halt United’s forays into Liverpool territory when he had the prospect.
Furthermore, whereas he was solely dribbled previous twice, the very fact Dalot was given the area to get balls into the field with out beating Alexander-Arnold may concern boss Arne Slot.
On the ball, it was a lot of what you’d count on from the proficient, attack-minded right-back. He accomplished 76.67% of his 60 passes – which was just about bang on together with his common for the season and created an opportunity.
That took him to 37 for the marketing campaign, with Ipswich left-back Leif Davis the one defender forward of him in that class.
Alexander-Arnold was outstanding within the early phases of the match at Anfield, coming in off the touchline to search out area earlier than wanting to pick a telling move.
Solely Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer and Mohamed Salah can higher his 12 large probabilities created within the Premier League this season, though he didn’t add to his tally on this sport.
Alexander-Arnold stays among the many elite creators in European soccer and whereas a tough day in such a high-profile match introduced his defending underneath scrutiny once more, it was not so way back that his enchancment in that space – since Slot took cost – was lauded.
“We’re speaking a couple of participant that received the Champions League and the league title so it is clear to me that he has been a great defender all his life,” Slot mentioned earlier within the season.
“I feel, with him, it isn’t about if he’s able to doing issues, it is extra can his focus fee consistently be in 100% focus? So that is what we speak about lots.”
