{"id":538907,"date":"2019-12-26T22:47:15","date_gmt":"2019-12-27T03:47:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=538907"},"modified":"2019-12-26T22:48:03","modified_gmt":"2019-12-27T03:48:03","slug":"trent-alexander-arnold-shines-as-liverpool-extend-premier-league-lead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/12\/26\/trent-alexander-arnold-shines-as-liverpool-extend-premier-league-lead\/","title":{"rendered":"Trent Alexander-Arnold Shines as Liverpool Extend Premier League Lead"},"content":{"rendered":"

Liverpool<\/a> FC\u2019s Premier League lead is now 13 points as the Reds comfortably beat second-place Leicester City<\/a> 4\u20130 on Boxing Day. The World Champions showed no signs of fatigue from their 9000-mile roundtrip journey to Qatar as they dominated their opponents.<\/p>\n

Liverpool Sit Comfortably on Top of The Premier League<\/h2>\n

Steven Gerrard\u2019s Heir<\/h3>\n

Defender Trent Alexander-Arnold<\/a> isn\u2019t just a key player for Liverpool, the young scouser is running games from right-back. On current form, it\u2019s hard to make the case<\/a> that there is anyone better in his position in Europe.<\/p>\n

In the first minute of the game, the youngster hit a swerving shot that required a good save from goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel<\/a>. But it was later in the match when he really made an impact.<\/p>\n

A ball broke to Alexander-Arnold and he played it into the middle for striker Roberto Firmino<\/a> to calmly head in. The pair combined again for the third goal as Firmino crisply placed an Alexander-Arnold cross into the top corner. The scouser now has a whopping eight assists in the Premier League with half of the season remaining.<\/p>\n

But the young man wasn\u2019t happy with just his assists. As time was running down, he latched onto winger Sadio Mane<\/a>‘s pass and fired a fine first time shot into the bottom left corner. His technique was reminiscent of Carlos Alberto\u2019s strike in the 1970 World Cup final.<\/p>\n

Alexander-Arnold\u2019s all-around game was also brilliant. He was key in the Reds securing a clean sheet as the 21-year-old made one tackle, clearance, and interception, while also being successful with 76 percent of his passes.<\/p>\n

His performance certainly didn\u2019t go unnoticed by manager Jurgen Klopp.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there a better full-back than Trent? We\u2019re not looking for one,\u201d the German told reporters<\/a> after the game. \u201cHe played a really good game.\u201d<\/p>\n

And the Reds will hope that the young scouser\u2019s form continues into the New Year.<\/p>\n

Missed Chances<\/h3>\n

But it wasn\u2019t just Alexander-Arnold\u2019s performance that stood out \u2013 Liverpool, in general, were brilliant. The Reds had 60 percent of the ball and made sure that Leicester, the home team, didn\u2019t have a single shot on target.<\/p>\n

Last year, Liverpool dropped points to West Ham and Leicester after going for warm-weather training. But this time was different \u2013 despite coming off a trip to Qatar, the Reds controlled this game.<\/p>\n

But Liverpool does need to improve one aspect of their play. Klopp\u2019s men struggled with their finishing – their manager\u2019s frustrations captured by one moment in particular.<\/p>\n

Midway through the first half, winger Mo Salah<\/a> broke away from the Leicester defence and rounded Schmeichel. But, despite his good work, he failed to roll the ball into the empty net. An irate Klopp threw his hands in the air in frustration. In total, the Reds missed six big chances throughout the match.<\/p>\n

And Liverpool’s inability to finish meant that they struggled to double their lead. After Firmino opened the scoring in the first half, it took until the 71st<\/sup> minute for James Milner to score the second with a well-placed penalty.<\/p>\n

This is an aspect of their game that must improve.<\/p>\n

Onwards and Upwards<\/h3>\n

With half the season gone, Liverpool\u2019s Premier League lead is at 13 points. But any let up could allow Manchester City back into the chase. If they want to seal their first title win in 30 years, then they cannot let their level drop now.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>