Liverpool 3 – 0 Aston Villa – Man of the Match
Trent Alexander Arnold
A tremendous display from our captain on the day, which showed equal measures of both skill and maturity in his play. The 24-year-old is very much finding the right moments and intelligence in his hybrid role, rather than merely vacating his starting position for a more advanced and exciting role. I was always keen on seeing this generational talent promoted into the leadership group (alongside Virgil of course), as a hometown hero who was desperate to emulate former Liverpool greats from the past. The added responsibility is clearing having a wonderfully positive effect on his mentality, as he took control of his performance and the middle third of the pitch. The reds opening goal was created by Trent’s corner and finished by Dominik Szoboszlai’s thunderbolt finish. I get the sense that this duo could go on to achieve enormous success together, as their limitless abilities intertwine. With long range, short range, recycled, and smart interplay emitting around the loud and excited Anfield ground, you could see the vision of what is being either Wataru by our infectious German manager.
The opening Liverpool goal was a Trent assist, which marked the 55th of his Premier League career, in just 202 games. The below caption is an indication of those numbers and shows just how elite this controversial player is and has been for the Merseyside giants.
🏴 Trent Alexander-Arnold now has 55 #PL assists in 202 appearances, that's more than:
🇧🇪 Eden Hazard: 54 assists, 245 apps.
🇪🇸 Juan Mata: 54 assists, 278 apps.
🇩🇪 Mesut Ozil: 54 assists, 184 apps. pic.twitter.com/UUkjltMJiN— SPORTbible (@sportbible) September 3, 2023
As the home side started with a dangerous intent to overcome, our number 66 strode about with an authority built on his newly adorned armband. With control and precision in his playmaking stride, you can see his enjoyment in playing with his new teammates and was salivating at the movement of his elite level forward line. In a season of huge transition, we always needed Trent to step up and become the leader of that middle ground, which seems a task he is now starting to revel in. I predicted he would be the reds player of the year and controlling succession piece to Thiago, which seems gleefully likely as of now.
Trent Alexander-Arnold vs. Aston Villa
91% Pass accuracy
8/12 Accurate long passes
2/2 Crosses completed
5 Chances created
1 Assist
2 Interceptions
6 RecoveriesDifferent class. pic.twitter.com/RsGgUmyoPl
— The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) September 3, 2023
The above statistics show just how controlling and effective the England international was, as the game was never really in the balance. With some good performers across the Liverpool team, it was the differing class of our hybrid red which set him apart from the other solid performers. With a midfield slot in the England team now all but assured (by Gareth Southgate), the hope is that his leaving the pitch early (due to injury on 72 minutes) was more precautionary than anything else.
As game four rolled to its conclusion final whistle conclusion, the fanbase was able to sit back and relax in the knowledge that ten points from twelve was secured. Villa came to Anfield with a desire to get a point, yet all they received was a sound beating, led by your man of the match, Trent Alexander Arnold.
Wolves next, after a little stop for the international shenanigans, of course.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will undergo a scan to determine the extent of the injury he sustained during our win over Aston Villa.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 3, 2023
