I think too many people aren’t realising what they are seeing because it doesn’t look like what they are expecting. I think quite often when people are complaining about the space he’s leaving and him not looking to fill it this is actually part of our tactics and its the RCM who is supposed to be falling into and covering that space or the RCB moving over and DM dropping back or something. Leaving Trent with an element of freedom in certain situations to help start counter attacks. People repeatedly moan and groan about the same thing yet Klopp seems ecstatic over how it is being performed by Trent, maybe we just aren’t appreciating that what we expect to see (and therefore moan when not seeing it) isn’t what is supposed to be happening? If you own a ferrari you don’t hook a caravan to it.
One thing that we tend to forget… Trent has never had a long term defensive partner to build a thorough understanding with… Robbo has had Virgil guiding and bollocking him to bring the best from him… When Trent eventually gets a partner that sticks at his side (maybe Konate, maybe Joe), his role will become more refined, secure and yet remain ever fruitful in an attacking sense
The scary thing about him is that his best is yet to come. His peak is a good 4-5 years away. And while there have been games where he can drive anyone mad with some nonchalant defending, there comes this one moment during which he makes a jaw-dropping 50-yard pass and shuts up all the critics. Case in point the last couple of matches.
He is 23, he is a scouser, he loves the club and he is world class. It doesn’t get any better than this.
Yeah, you’re probably right. He has so much attacking quality that it would be a loss to drill too much defensive attitude into him. I can see him move into a nr. 8 role indeed. He’d be devastating when nearing the box. On the other hand, he’s already so effective on his right side when going forward that there is no big reason yet for Klopp to change something, apart from looking how to most effectively shore up the space opening up behind him at times.
What I meant in regard to Maldini is the consistency to be world-class at all times and to be able to avoid the obvious stinkers he commits at times (but of course, I’m obviously idealising Maldini here, he too must have had his stinkers when I wasn’t watching… 
).
But still people talk about him not being able to defend.
I think we can separate it nicely. Winning possession can also be higher up the pitch. It’s also clear that he can defend. But are there some defensive situations he can improve? Deeper/closer/inside our box? That is probably also true. We just have to not get mad when you hear people outside Liverpool saying Trent can’t defend. It’s en exaggeration. Same as we do it with a lot of other team’s players. Either joking or being serious.
he’s already an attacking midfielder. He just so happens to be playing at the right back position. One of the three central midfielders will just have to cover his offensive movement. That’s what teams have to do. Adjust and play to the strengths of individual players when needed.
Equalled his record of assist in a single season today, Robbo about to do the same in the next couple of games.
Who said our full backs weren’t what they used to be?
Definitely think the Tsimikas competition and ability to be rested has really helped Robertson get back to his absolute peak level.
I’m of the same opinion. Whisper it quietly but I think the same goes for Alisson and Kelleher as well and I hope that Diaz will prove to be much more than competition for Mane. I wish Klopp could get a right back equivalent of Tsimikas to deputise for Trent, though.
I’d imagine if we do our usual second-half of the season picking up of performances it would not be unreasonable to see 30?
He’s going to blaze past twenty. I think we can be sure of that.
He’ll get a couple tonight against Leicester.
I guess that’s why Klopp has sent Neco over to Fulham - give him a chance at regular game time and see how good he can get.
It also depends on what we are looking for in an able deputy. Unless there’s a trent clone someone around the world that’s 3-4 years younger than Trent, it’s going to have to be someone of lesser quality, but not such a vast drop off that it means a change to the system. I’d love for us to be able to bring in someone of Tsimikas quality in for the right side. I really like Matty Cash at Villa, but that won’t happen. I’d take peak Finnan!
Maybe Conor Bradley is the one that can step up if Neco can’t.
I think the AFCON has done us a favour here with Mané. Really looks like he’s rediscovering his mojo.
As for a Tsimikas equivalent that would be Lamptey (2 yrs younger), for me. Alternatively Livramento (4 yrs younger).
The RB equivalent of Tsimikas is someone we’ve never heard of.
If Diaz flops as a left sided forward, just make a Cuadrado of him.
Joking. 
Tried to keep track of a couple of examples tonight. On 81st minute and 89th minute for semi threatening moves by Leicester no doubt some people might have been wondering what the fuck Trent was doing not tracking back and doing “his” job. On the 81st minute though Trent drifted into space in CM, Matip moved out to RB and Thiago dropped in next to VvD. On 89th similar with Fabinho this time dropping in as Leicester had numbers in and around the box and a crossing opportunity was developing (Fabinho being better in the air than Thiago). Now you can choose to believe Klopp has just waved surrender on getting Trent to track back, the CMs were desperately falling back to plug holes Leicester had opened up and Trent was being lazy in midfield. Or you can be open to the idea that we aren’t just working on defending a danger we are positioning ourselves ready to exploit an attacking opportunity when we get the ball back. It just seems to happen too fluidly for it to be happening by accident to me.