Klopp told how to aid Gomez Liverpool career and warn Alexander-Arnold

09/11/2022

Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool are in ‘a difficult period’ after Napoli humbling

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been urged to make tactical switches to his team that could help Joe Gomez resurrect his career at the club after a disappointing performance against Napoli, and send a message to Trent Alexander-Arnold for his defensive errors this season. The Reds have claimed just two wins this season from seven games, as Klopp’s side have been decimated by injuries.

The 4-1 defeat in Naples for their opening Champions League group stage game saw both Gomez and Alexander-Arnold singled out for their errors at the back, and former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has provided the German boss with a possible solution to his problems.

“Liverpool have lost just twice this season and bounced back from the first defeat by beating Bournemouth 9-0,” Murphy wrote in the Daily Mail. “Ajax will be a harder test on Tuesday but they need the same attitude. Jurgen Klopp has talked about reinventing the team, which usually means a tactical switch or changing personnel. Maybe he’ll think about switching Joe Gomez to right-back for a couple of games as he’s a natural one-on-one defender.”

Taking Gomez out of the heart of the defence, as Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate continue to build their fitness up after injuries, could help take the England man out of the limelight while also giving Liverpool some more defensive solidity.

Murphy believes the coaches at Liverpool need to spend more time working on that side of the 23-year-old’s game. “There are defensive lessons he has to learn,” Murphy added. “Coaches, staff and team-mates at Liverpool should be helping him.

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Alexander-Arnold recorded 12 league assists last season and has been a key part of Klopp’s attack since breaking into the team, but he is yet to set up a team-mate this season to score and his defensive fragilities have been further exposed with teams setting up to target him down that flank.
Murphy believes the coaches at Liverpool need to spend more time working on that side of the 23-year-old’s game. “There are defensive lessons he has to learn,” Murphy added. “Coaches, staff and team-mates at Liverpool should be helping him.

“He has to look at his positional play and smell danger a bit quicker. He has been given free rein for a long time but he should protect himself better, even if it means sacrificing some forward runs.

“Liverpool have looked complacent this season but I don’t mean players failing to give 100 per cent. It’s more a lack of sharpness or failing to do the basics when you’ve not had any competition for your position.

“I sometimes slid into the comfort zone and needed a jolt. I’m not saying Trent is the same but the coaches at Liverpool could spend more time with him analysing the defensive parts of his game that need work. He is a good listener so his issues are easily resolved. Small details can make a big difference.”

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