Trent’s new role as an inverted full back gets him on the ball a lot, in midfield. When we are in possession it adds an extra midfielder for us, as Trent steps into the role, and the possibilities for overload, or passing to an open man, increase. Then of course Trent’s quality on the ball is such that he can then hurt opponents with a decisive pass, or an assist.
If we moved Trent to the midfield and added another right back, the overload possibility is gone, and much as Trent is a very good player, I don’t think he will have the sort of space we see him getting now, where he is so hard to track and pick up, as he pops up all over the place.
To my mind, we need a CB, a mobile one, to help cover the gaps when we lose possession, as the vulnerability of Trent’s new role is we are out of shape, defensively, for a brief period in transition.
All systems have plus points and minus points, but for us, the plus point of getting Trent on the ball as a playmaker significantly outweighs the minus point of occasionally being exposed.
As for the exposure, let’s say we sign a mobile defensive midfielder like a Ugarte, then in addition to the central defender getting across, this mitigates Trent being ‘out of position’ (in quotation marks because he is playing where Klopp wants him to play, and is not out of position!)
Further, the possible weakness is also mitigated by another all action number 8 - take your pick, we have been linked with several, who are better athletes than the old crop we have been relying on too much.
Bring it on!
Two good midfielders (three if a third can be found for a good price with high upside), Trent in the inverted role, another central defender, and off we go.
