Paul Merson would be ‘shocked’ if Liverpool did not practice Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass for Diogo Jota’s first at Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, speaking on Sky Sports (20/01, 21:54).
The Gunners legend feels Jurgen Klopp’s side sought to exploit any defensive vulnerability in the home side’s backline on Thursday. So, Merson would be amazed if the Reds did not at least look at ways for Alexander-Arnold to get Jota running at Aaron Ramsdale’s goal.
Alexander-Arnold assisted both of Jota’s efforts, as Liverpool beat Arsenal 2-0 to win their semi-final second-leg tie. The England right-back played the Portuguese in for his first by freeing the forward to shape Takehiro Tomiyasu up one-on-one and drive toward the box.
Merson noted Jordan Henderson started the move by moving to right-back so Alexander-Arnold could push forward. The Reds star drove on to be the furthest away player up the pitch. From there, he demonstrated his playmaking skill and receive Roberto Firmino’s flick.
Alexander-Arnold spotted gaps in the Arsenal backline that Liverpool could fill to force the Gunners to group together. The Reds had six players around the area when Jota scored.
Merson ‘shocked’ if Liverpool did not practice exploiting Arsenal
Liverpool would shock Merson if they did not at least practice Alexander-Arnold moving up the pitch to cause Arsenal problems, as he did for Jota’s first goal of the Carabao Cup tie.
“Outstanding touch, the touch makes it,” Merson said. “If the touch doesn’t happen, it doesn’t matter where everybody is [or] his vision.
“I’d be shocked if they hadn’t worked on that. I really would. I’d be shocked if they didn’t work on that in training just as options for what to do.
“It’s an unbelievable goal, it’s a real, real good football goal.”
Alexander-Arnold later assisted Jota’s second in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup win with an inch-perfect 30-yard lob over the Arsenal defence. The 23-year-old now has 15 assists after 24 appearances so far this season in all competitions. He has 10 in 19 Premier League games.
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