Mensah waiting
attacking ability incredible.
“In terms of assists, he’s up there with everybody.
“That tells you he’s playing in the opposition’s half most of the time – against teams who will have 11 men behind the ball.
“In my day, as a full-back you had someone like John Barnes to deal with – one-on-one – all game. But Trent doesn’t have that problem at Anfield because most teams go there playing for a draw.
“That means he has acres of space to play, he can see everything ahead of him and can control games from right-back.
“He’s fabulous going forward and, if you’re Klopp, you want him up there, creating and putting crosses in.
“When he offers that, you take the misdemeanours at the other end.’’
Having risen to the top at Forest under the late, great Brian Clough, Anderson is aware Alexander-Arnold needs to improve defensively.
And, Anderson says, if he could take a leaf out of his Liverpool teammate and left-back Robertson’s book in that respect, then he will become the complete wingback general.
“The role has changed,” he added.
“I remember Clough telling me, ‘Your job is to keep the ball out of net.’
“It really is just so absolutely was
ALL ACTION: Viv on his international debut in 1978 loan at Sheffield United in the last two seasons.
That loan spell ends when the current season eventually finishes – but Turner reckons Henderson will have to be patient. that simple. I was allowed to go forward but only if we had possession on my side of the pitch.
“Otherwise, I stayed back. I was taught to defend properly.
“Trent, who started out as a midfielder, does get caught out at the back quite a lot.
“Robertson isn’t as good going forward but is a better defender. Mix his defensive qualities with Trent’s creativity and you have the perfect modern full-back.”
England boss Gareth Southgate is definitely spoilt for choice in that area ahead of next summer’s Euro Championship finals.
In addition to Alexander-Arnold tearing up the rulebook at Liverpool, there is Manchester United pair Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw available, Leicester ace Ben Chilwell is coming into his own and Arsenal’s teenage wonder Bukayo Saka is also making waves for the Gunners.
Anderson, the first black player to win an England cap when he made his 1978 debut against Czechoslovakia, added: “That’s the beauty of having so many world-class full-backs. They can bomb forward, while others cover.”
“He’s on contract at United for another two years but is making great strides,” said Turner. “In many ways he’s in a great position but his next step is vital and the worry for United is if he doesn’t see a way past De Gea he’ll leave. “He has the potential to be a fantastic keeper and that’s why it’s such a tough decision for
Solskjaer. I can’t see him shoving De Gea out to make way for Dean.
“He’s recently signed a big long-term deal and he’s still one of the very best around.
“The best solution might be another season on loan.
“Maybe in a year or two De Gea will go back to Spain
– and Dean could be United’s No.1 for years.”
Dutch defender, 22 – which is up at the end of June – but United have the option of handing him another 12-month agreement.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to keep Fosu-Mensah as part of his squad but the coronavirus crisis has put talks on hold.
Fosu-Mensah can leave for nothing in the summer but he is desperate to stay at Old Trafford and is prepared to wait it out.