02 Feb 2017 19:28:51
Lets just clear up the situation of an attacking fullback. It is not easy finding such a player which offers a good balance of attack and defend.

Attacking fullbacks is what it says on the label. Attack.

What is required is for others in the team to cover for the attacking fullback when he bombs forward. Henderson is that player but it is absolutely pointless having an attacking fullback which provides no attacking outlet i. e Clyne and along with that is not adept at defending when Klopp's style of play requires attacking fullbacks to support our attack and I doubt he is going to draft TAA to start every match when he is still learning and is actually a CM. There is loads of pressure on TAA and a couple of bad performances will see him being ripped to shreds by media and fans and in return end his career at Anfield early.

Clyne has pace which Klopp requires and is probably why he is sticking with Clyne at this point. Klopp did a good thing giving the youngsters a run in the cups as now he can make at least two to three of them as part of the first team squad next season. There is plenty of hype around TAA at the moment and it is Klopp's job to protect the likes of TAA from being ripped to shreds. I am confident TAA will be full time part of the squad next season.

1.) 02 Feb 2017
02 Feb 2017 20:19:15
Max, no one is saying TAA should replace Clyne right now for the very reasons you have mentioned. Clyne is quite limited offensively and his end product is poor compared to TAA who has more quality in his deliveries than Clyne. That is saying a lot, wouldn't you think? And if I'm not wrong, Ed01 said in the summer that he was looking to bring in new recruits for both fullback positions and cos he had TAA, is the reason he didn't get cover for Clyne cos he believes in this kid and we can all see why. Klopp is taking care of him so don't worry about him getting pressured as Clyne will still be the starter BUT come next season, that may change. Not saying TAA will be the starter but saying that we may move Clyne on and bring in someone else with better attacking quality to compete/ help TAA.

2.) 02 Feb 2017
02 Feb 2017 21:36:42
I think taa should be starting ahead of clyne, he is quicker, younger and much better ball control and delivery

3.) 02 Feb 2017
02 Feb 2017 22:40:03
Disagree. Also with his young age inconsistency will be an issue.

4.) 02 Feb 2017
02 Feb 2017 23:30:56
Between the two of them right back should be ok it's left back we need to sort out Milner has done a good job but isn't the long term answer

5.) 03 Feb 2017
03 Feb 2017 00:17:20
I feel Milner is doing a much better job at left back than clyne is at right back.
I'm sorry but I see clyne as a big weakness in this team and he has to be worried about his future at the club, he struggles in offence and defence, he's quite pacy and is hardly ever injured but to me he is treading water, he is constantly beaten by wingers on his side and far too many dangerous crosses come in that shouldn't, not to mention the errors and ballwatching.

6.) 03 Feb 2017
03 Feb 2017 01:03:19
Very harsh on Clyne, he's been solid in my book, could improve his final delivery but otherwise a good purchase. Yes there have been crosses, but has any team ever been able to prevent crosses completely?

7.) 03 Feb 2017
03 Feb 2017 08:54:03
A defender should always defend first.
Along with the defending the better ones who have also the gift of pace should break foward and overlap tbe attack. But only one full back at a time.
The other defenders should move across to cover.
Today's full backs need to be the real deal. As pace alone will get found out as in Clynes case.
They also need to be able to put high Quality crosses into the box and read the game all the while thinking that I should defend first.

If you could combine Milner and Clyne. You would have a great full back.

8.) 03 Feb 2017
03 Feb 2017 11:38:04
Personally I don't like playing with such high pressing full backs. As you say it's very difficult to find full backs who can both defend and attack. Would much rather our fullbacks sat in to allow our forwards, midfielders more freedom to press forward as all are much better on the ball than our fullbacks. If necessary I would prefer to see matip adding an extra man by bringing the ball out of defence. Give me mane or coutinho one on one with the opposition fullbacks over milner, Clyne or TAA any day.

9.) 03 Feb 2017
03 Feb 2017 12:46:39
Not easy to find? Most of the full backs are failed wingers. I haven't seen a decent defender in a long time. There are plenty of wing backs available in the market it I don't think Klopp will buy a RB.

10.) 03 Feb 2017
03 Feb 2017 14:55:00
I get Milner did well months ago but he has been poor for the last 5 games.

11.) 03 Feb 2017
03 Feb 2017 18:06:06
As I said before its all right one full back being high up pressing but the other one should immediately stay back in line with the centre half to form a back 3 and move across as a unit to cover against the counter attack around the exposed full back.

Old George Graham who had probably one of the best defences ever used to say that imagine a long string tied around the left backs hand and extending to the nearest centre half position and tied on to him and running to the next center half and then on to the right back.

Imagine now when the left back breaks up the pitch the other 3 defenders are pulled over and into cover position. And vice versa.

Clever George.