Liverpool

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

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Trent Alexander-Arnold did not have many of the jaw-dropping attacking moments he goes viral for every week against Chelsea, but defensively, he was superb.

The right-back won five duels, made four clearances and one block - registering the most defensive actions on the pitch - while giving away zero fouls.

It is a myth that he can't defend. It is nonsense. What has happened in the past is that he is so excited by the creative things he can do, he can switch off when the other team has the ball. But this season, he has been pretty much faultless defensively.

After all, Liverpool have conceded only three goals in eight Premier League games and he has started every single one of them.

Arne Slot is moulding Alexander-Arnold into an even better player than he was under Jurgen Klopp. Yes, he still drops into pockets of space and plays killer passes, but he makes better, less reckless decisions, while being more responsible positionally off the ball.

When he is playing like this, no other right-back on the planet can get close. It is farcical that he had to play at left-back in his last match for England, even if he scored a sublime free-kick in the process.

Roy Keane's analysis after England's game with Finland that Trent cannot defend was so lazy. He can. Just look at his performances for Liverpool, week in, week out.

Now he just needs to sign a contract extension, stay at Liverpool for his entire career and cement his reputation as the best right-back the country has ever seen.

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

Former Premier League winger Andros Townsend thinks Curtis Jones may be the one Arne Slot's side "play through this year" with the Liverpool boss seeming to have "full faith" in the 23-year-old.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Townsend and former Premier League striker Chris Sutton were full of praise for the midfielder, with Sutton saying he "was mightily impressive at both ends of the pitch," in the club's win over Chelsea.

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Mike Richards
Fan writer

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As defensive turnarounds go, Everton's has been something of miraculous.

The very foundations of a Sean Dyche side are being resolute and difficult to break down. After four games, four defeats and 13 goals conceded, it was difficult to see how things were going to improve.

Fast forward four games and Everton have become Everton once again. Two wins, two draws and only two goals conceded, the shift has been dramatic.

The absence of Jarrad Branthwaite was certainly felt in the early part of the season, but given he has still only appeared once all season, the often makeshift defensive unit deserves immense credit.

So often maligned, Ashley Young has become Mr Reliable.

Playing at both left and right full-back, his experience and commitment have been valuable in recent weeks and sometimes too quickly forgotten.

His versatility is the major reason why he was given a further year's contract in the summer.

Yet it would be remiss of me not to mention the steady performances of Michael Keane.

So often a scapegoat, but certainly not beyond criticism, he is a player who very much relies on confidence.

What we have seen in recent weeks is him stepping up and outperforming James Tarkowski.

Being given a run of consecutive games appears to be helping his performances. With Jarrad Branthwaite back in full training, competition for places has clearly focused the mind.

Add into the mix his incredible eye for a goal, it potentially poses the manager with a selection headache against Fulham this weekend.

Keane himself believes he is one of the best finishers at the club. It is hard to pour water on those flames of self-confidence given his Everton goal catalogue.

"Dixie" Keane as a utility striker? You never know.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Arne Slot is running out of evidence to claim Liverpool are not realistic contenders to win the Premier League.

That's the view of former Everton and Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend, who told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club that Slot needs to accept the Reds are "bang in the title race, even at this stage of the season."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

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The panel on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club discussed Liverpool's evolution under Arne Slot since he succeeded Jurgen Klopp as manager at Anfield.

Ex-Luton winger Andros Townsend: "They look like they're a lot calmer, they're not just 'gung ho' when they lose it and pressing all out to win it back. They'll keep the ball [and] when the other team has it, they'll let them have it and get back in their shape.

"It seems to be very different to the way Jurgen Klopp shaped his Liverpool side. It's a major change but the players seem to be adapting well and results haven't dropped off, which is probably a surprise.

When you have a successful manager like Klopp walk away, normally you'd expect a dip in standards and form - but that hasn't happened so far."

New York Times journalist Rory Smith: "Slot has not sought to make big changes. The style of play is different, they look calmer and they look less urgent then they had under Klopp.

"It was more pronounced last season particularly because it felt like everything was riding on every game last season because of the situation with Klopp leaving.

"They look more calm, more assured, more patient and those things are standing them in good stead, because there were points last season where every Liverpool game felt like it was on the verge of chaos."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Everton are preparing a £17m bid for Besiktas' 19-year-old Turkey forward Semih Kilicsoy. (Kontraspor - in Turkish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Football is full of highs.

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And lows.

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Controversy takes hold.

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Moments of madness do too.

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Players become unexpected heroes.

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Some never change.

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There's pain.

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Joy too.

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And, given this ebb and flow of emotion, every so often, even the coolest heads boil over.

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Liverpool's reshaped style under new head coach Arne Slot may be more middle of the road than the "heavy metal" of predecessor Jurgen Klopp, but it has taken them on a direct route to the top of the Premier League.

Slot's tempo is more measured than the full-tilt thrills that were Klopp's trademark, but the 2-1 win over Chelsea in an engrossing Anfield encounter continued the Dutchman's near flawless start since taking charge of the Reds.

Liverpool's outstanding opening in the new era has been framed by the standard of opposition they have faced, meaning optimism has been cloaked with caution, with this meeting with Enzo Maresca's improving Chelsea regarded as Slot's biggest test, even though he has already enjoyed a 3-0 win at Manchester United.

It was an examination Liverpool had to dig deep to pass, in what was a show of resilience and mental strength - as opposed to the glorious attacking chaos that brought so much success under Klopp.

And it was no less enjoyable for all that as far as the home fans were concerned. They celebrated raucously at the final whistle, the magnificent Curtis Jones deservedly the match-winner after Nicolas Jackson had equalised Mohamed Salah's first-half penalty.

Read more from Phil on the win here

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Danny Murphy believes that Liverpool's mentality is key, and is a reason his former side have the best defence in the league.

Speaking on BBC's Match of the Day 2, Murphy said: "They've got a really good shape, they've played the same way since the beginning of the season.

"What is most impressive is the mentality to defend for each other when mistakes happen.

"They're not as hell to leather in terms of pressing all the time. They keep their counsel.

"If you've got a mentality where you want to fill in for each other and help each other, and you've got a good shape - it gives you a good chance at winning games - that is why they have the best defence in the Premier League."

Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez agreed, and said how impressive it is to hear experienced players like Andy Robertson show his willingness to prove himself to Arne Slot.

"Especially at his level he [wants] to prove again, normally you'd say 'listen I was doing this for years' but still he has to prove that - that is really good," said Bentiez.

"It shows the competitive mentality and that the new manager wants to win something.

"You can see that they're going in the right direction, when you have Salah in the 75th minute coming back to regain the ball to help the defence - you have all the team together.

"I think they have a plan and the right mentality and confidence. They are doing really well."

Watch the debate on Match of the Day 2 here

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BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Tom asked: Phil - given Curtis Jones' top-quality midfield performance for Liverpool yesterday, it would be very harsh to drop him for the big games right now.

Would the best solution be to play him alongside Gravenberch and move Mac Allister further forward? The Argentine has been under-utilised in that position and, for me, is just ahead of Szoboszlai in the pecking order at the moment. A nice problem to have, however!

Phil answered: Hi, Tom. Curtis Jones was the best player on the pitch yesterday, so you can do no more than that. As you say, a very nice problem for Arne Slot to solve and you do mention a very good potential solution there.

What is not in doubt is that if Curtis Jones keeps playing like he did against Chelsea it will be very difficult for Slot to leave him out.

Follow the rest of Phil's Q&A and the rest of Monday's football news here

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BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Ollie asked: What is the latest on Liverpool’s contract situation with 'the big three'?

Phil answered: Hello, Ollie. We are safe to assume you mean Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Well, the good news is that Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has just revealed he has opened talks on a new contract. We must assume the same will be applying to Salah and Alexander-Arnold, if not actually ongoing now then imminently.

It has been easy to understand Liverpool fans’ concerns on this issue. They cannot afford to lose any of these players and as we know January is pre-contract territory for foreign clubs.

Liverpool have been keeping it very quiet but all logic suggests they must want to keep this trio as a matter of urgency.

The Van Dijk news is certainly welcome for Liverpool and their supporters.

Follow the rest of Phil's Q&A and the rest of Monday's football news here