Viv’s tips for Wan to watch
VIV ANDERSON accepts the fundamentals of the game have changed for defenders.
It was 40 years ago this year that Anderson lifted the European Cup in successive seasons under the guidance of Brian Clough. He joined Arsenal soon after and then left north London for Manchester United when Sir Alex Ferguson made him his first signing.
It means he will be a keen observer as the sides meet today, with extra emphasis on how one rising young right back fares.
For United, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has won plaudits for his one-on-one defensive capabilities. But with more adventurous full-backs providing more of a threat going forward, what of the 22-year-old’s output in the final third?
“He is very, very good one to one but I still think he can improve,” Anderson said. “There are times when he tackles with his wrong foot and the higher up you go in the game the more mistakes will be made.
“Right now he goes to ground a lot to make tackles. I was always taught that going to ground should be the last thing you ever do.
“People will compare him with Trent AlexanderArnold because it’s United and Liverpool and they are such big rivals.
“We can all see what Alexander-Arnold does going forward and people want Wan-Bissaka to do the same. Ideally you could have Wan-Bissaka’s defensive quality and Alexander-Arnold’s forward-thinking actions because you would have the perfect player then.”