Looks like a dip in form combined with teams nullifying his threat a bit more effectively. Would not be going to extremes like this, that he is in decline. Up to him now to push on through this sticky period and get back to his best. Which even as a non Liverpool fan I am willing to admit he is fantastic to watch.
The shocking decline of Trent Alexander Arnold
- Thread starter lysglimt
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
You know the caf rules, he’s well past it and overrated.
Certainly a big part of it. I think the silence of playing in an empty stadium also feeds into this particularly for the way liverpool play.
VVD missing is also a big part of it. Whatever is the cause, I cant say I'm displeased.
Shocking?? Bit dramatic 
He's going through a bad spell, nothing more.
He's going through a bad spell, nothing more.
Great on the ball. Truly brilliant.
Mediocre in defence. Truly.
When Liverpool’s attackers don’t do well, he looks off. So when that shine fades, he looks mediocre.
I believe his long term role is actually Becks’s role as a Right Sided Midfielder.
Mediocre in defence. Truly.
When Liverpool’s attackers don’t do well, he looks off. So when that shine fades, he looks mediocre.
I believe his long term role is actually Becks’s role as a Right Sided Midfielder.
He is off form, and there are a many things contributing to his more subdued performances. As a team, Liverpool have declined and this may have affected him as well.
I have learned that a good headline attracts more attention 
But I do stand by the context of what I wrote - his dip in form has been rather extreme. Yes you can say that he is young but he has gone from world-class to poor in a short period of time. And this is not a few weeks - it has been almost a year now, it has just been much more noticeable in the last couple of weeks.
But I do stand by the context of what I wrote - his dip in form has been rather extreme. Yes you can say that he is young but he has gone from world-class to poor in a short period of time. And this is not a few weeks - it has been almost a year now, it has just been much more noticeable in the last couple of weeks.
Attack wise in many ways he's only as good as the front three, if they're off, he's off. He's defensively average, and misses having a solid pair of CBs to cover for him. Plus I do think its a case of teams figuring him out, he needs to mix it up a lot more. You could say the same for a few of the elements of Liverpool at the moment.
I'd say it's a blip or dodgy spell in a career of a very young football, unfortunately for us, he'll be back.
Oh and he can cross the ball well.
I'd say it's a blip or dodgy spell in a career of a very young football, unfortunately for us, he'll be back.
Oh and he can cross the ball well.
He still seems alright to me, just that Liverpool as a whole are struggling a bit in attack right now. Still putting in those dangerous crosses and still mediocre at actually defending.
Yeah, this. When he's got nobody making runs or nobody to cross to he's a bit lost. Still a good player though.
We all knew Liverpool couldn't keep Klopp's style up forever.
Loss of form, but he's not been bad either. He just went from the creative production of a top attacking midfielder to that of a good wingback.
The whole team is suffering from a big dip in form over the last couple months
The whole team is suffering from a big dip in form over the last couple months
A couple of things have happened.
Van Dyke being out means he can't push forward with complete abandonment like he used to.
His game is about putting crosses into dangerous positions, but turning over possession, so the forward line can press the defence into giving the ball away. The forwards have been pretty shit this year, more worryingly for Liverpool.
Van Dyke being out means he can't push forward with complete abandonment like he used to.
His game is about putting crosses into dangerous positions, but turning over possession, so the forward line can press the defence into giving the ball away. The forwards have been pretty shit this year, more worryingly for Liverpool.
That is the problem - he has been bad. I have seen almost all of Liverpools last 5-6 games - and he is not getting into positions anymore. Against United he had 1 cross, a pundit said he had 2 against Southampton (I didn't count). Robertson is whipping in crosses, attacking from the left - TAA is not - and making a lot of mistakes defensively.
He's probably 'asthmatic'
Bloody hell, how he can be in decline with 22? He has a bad patch like whole squad. He will hit his form again (not soon i hope)
He hasn’t declined much to be honest. He always was a defensive liability and no amount of assists can mask that. His major problem is teams have sussed out the Scousers’ long-ball tactics and are better prepared for them.
Alexander-Arnold is still chucking in twenty hoofs into a the box per match, as soon as he crosses the halfway line. That’s still on par with his 2018-20 numbers. Where’s the massive decline?
Alexander-Arnold is still chucking in twenty hoofs into a the box per match, as soon as he crosses the halfway line. That’s still on par with his 2018-20 numbers. Where’s the massive decline?
Has it something to do with Liverpool's attacking form dropping down some levels.
Aren't they all.
He can't defend and it's being highlighted with no VvD. I don't even think he's a right back, he'd be better in midfield imo.
He’s finished. Should just move to China or take up Golf.
OP ...dramatic much?
Andy Robertson's form has dipped too, also coinciding with Liverpool's poor recent form. You get the feeling both him and TTA will improve if/when the team as a whole get their asses in gear, which is hopefully never.
Hard to believe they'll continue dropping points for much longer though.
I wouldnt write him off yet, he's 22,young players will have a dip in form.
Scouse Dele Alli.
He is out of form.. happens to every player....
But joking aside, TAA still has the second most key passes of any fullback in the Premier League in 2020/21.
The truth is that it's probably bad luck that he has so few assists this season (and perhaps good luck that he had so many last season).
The truth is that it's probably bad luck that he has so few assists this season (and perhaps good luck that he had so many last season).
3rd season syndrome
Solly March got all of those key passes in the game against us when we literally refused to mark him for a game.But joking aside, TAA still has the second most key passes of any fullback in the Premier League in 2020/21.
The truth is that it's probably bad luck that he has so few assists this season (and perhaps good luck that he had so many last season).
Trent has always been a weak defender, Jose identified that straight away.
The lack of goal contributions is probably more related to Liverpool’s overall decline in attacking output.
Still strikes a football as well as I’ve ever seen a RB strike the ball to be fair!
The lack of goal contributions is probably more related to Liverpool’s overall decline in attacking output.
Still strikes a football as well as I’ve ever seen a RB strike the ball to be fair!
I was going to come in here ready to defend him but can see everyone else has already done a decent job of that. No one was talking about his dip in form until we had this bad run of games. He's also had an injury and Covid. Oh and he's only 22 years old. He's never been amazing defensively and often struggles in 1 on 1 situations. Offensively we're not clicking at the moment and the team as a whole has returned to a normal level, similar to how City did last year.
I do wonder if there's a link between players catching Covid and underperformance afterwards.
I do wonder if there's a link between players catching Covid and underperformance afterwards.
There's more people in here defending Alexander-Arnold's dip than there have been in Greenwood's thread all season.
Trent's always been a fantastic system player, which explains his poor showings for England. Liverpool's system has drastically changed this year, even before van Dijk's injury, so his form was bound to drop off. They look like they'll eventually be looking to completely ease the pressure on the full backs and go for a midfield-based approach.
Trent's always been a fantastic system player, which explains his poor showings for England. Liverpool's system has drastically changed this year, even before van Dijk's injury, so his form was bound to drop off. They look like they'll eventually be looking to completely ease the pressure on the full backs and go for a midfield-based approach.
The thing that jumped out at me was 1 asst for AWB in 16 matches, i'm a fan of his but wish he could give a bit more in the attacking third.
He's peaked. Fullbacks should always be able to defend first and foremost, and since he's bad at that, he will look pretty bad when he's not contributing offensively.
I despise anything Liverpool like any other United fan, but come on, TAA's decline?!?!? I'd give my fecking left nut for a RB like him.
If only people could be as defensive about our own players as they are about everyone else's.
The numbers they produced last season was always going to be a tough ask to follow.
Remember, Robbo and Trent took set pieced and Liverpool scored alot of goals from corners and set pieces. They lack that this season.
Remember, Robbo and Trent took set pieced and Liverpool scored alot of goals from corners and set pieces. They lack that this season.
I wouldn't give any of my nuts for 20/21 season Trent. He's been well off it.
Are players not allowed a dip in form?