Neither Trent Alexander-Arnold nor Andy Robertson have played the full 90 minutes in the last three games, with Jurgen Klopp determined to use the “alternatives” he has at the position.
Full-backs are at the heart of Liverpool’s creative hub, when they thrive so does the team, but when they lack that drive and influence it’s apparent.
Such is their importance, that they play most of the time. Too often one could say, and the stats back it up, despite Klopp’s earlier warning in 2020.
“Robbo and Trent, let’s just say, can’t play every game of the 50-something season; to be honest, that would limit their runs, even when they do get through,” Klopp said at the time.
But since the start of 2020/21, Robertson has made 104 club appearances (8,819 minutes) and 25 internationals (2,190 minutes), while Alexander-Arnold has made 99 appearances for Liverpool (8,622 minutes) and eight for England ( 528 minutes).
That level isn’t sustainable if you want the pair to continue reaching new heights and playing consistently, and it’s partly why Klopp is keen to use the options he has.
“We have to [manage his minutes], where can we change at the time the players enter and return? Klopp spoke to reporters about Alexander-Arnold after he was substituted in the derby in the 59th minute.
“Milly can play in midfield and both full-back positions, so we thought again, like in the last game, it makes sense to bring fresh legs there. That’s why we decided it that way.
“Trent is playing all the time, Robbo is playing all the time and from time to time, like we have right now, we have alternatives there, so we have to use them.
“That’s why we have to use them to bring fresh energy to the field, more or less. It has nothing to do with his performance, even though I know Trent can definitely play better than today, but it has nothing to do with that.
“It’s just that we have to get through this period, what is it like, because yes, the players are coming back, but they have to reintegrate.”
The presence of Kostas Tsimikas makes him an obvious rotation option for Robertson, but the lack of competition for Alexander-Arnold is obvious with Calvin Ramsay not yet fully training with the team.
James Milner, at 36, is no longer the best fit and that leaves Joe Gomez as a backup while Ramsay’s return to action is closely watched.
With Alexander-Arnold just 23 and Robertson 28, Liverpool need to see the big picture and the fact that they have played the full 90 minutes just three and two times respectively this season shows they are trying to do just that.
It’s a good balance to strike amidst an unforgiving schedule, but expect to see more winger rotation from Klopp during games and from match to match, as minutes are clearly catching up at both No. 66 and No. 26. .
