Stephen Warnock has pinpointed how Everton can expose Trent Alexander-Arnold in tonight’s Merseyside derby.
He brushed off suggestions that Real Madrid have distracted Alexander-Arnold in his performances and believes Arne Slot’s tactics give the right-back an uphill battle.
Warnock, a local lad himself, played in three Merseyside derbies in the mid-2000s and told Mail Sport what Liverpool must do to win in the final derby at Goodison Park, 131 years after the first ended 3-0 to the hosts.
He also wants to give supporters a ‘reality check’ about Andy Robertson after suggestions that the 30-year-old has declined, with his contract up in 2026.
‘I think you’re finding at the moment that in Liverpool’s style of play at the moment, Mohamed Salah is playing higher up the pitch, and Trent is isolated a lot of the time. If teams play well, they can use that to their advantage,’ Warnock told Mail Sport via via Anchor: Altenar.
‘When they played Fulham at home, you had Antonee Robinson and (Alex) Iwobi on that left hand side. They knew straightaway that if you double up on Trent, there’s a possibility.
Stephen Warnock says Everton can expose Trent Alexnader-Arnold, given Liverpool’s system
Tonight Goodison Park will host its final Merseyside derby before Everton’s stadium move
Mohamed Salah’s advanced role means Everton could risk doubling up on Alexander-Arnold
‘Iliman Ndiaye on the left has been brilliant since (David) Moyes come in. He’s such a dangerous player when he drives with the ball.
‘I think, at times, (Ibrahima) Konate doesn’t read the situation. Maybe he can get over a little bit more towards Trent Alexander-Arnold and help out. I think (Ryan) Gravenberch has been asked to do a lot of that work as well.
‘I’ve been at a few games this year where Conor Bradley has started at right-back and he’s had the same issues. Lille got in behind him three or four times because of the same situation. He’s caught whether to go tight to the winger or drop off a little bit because that ball is going to get thrown over the top.
‘That is the system that they’re playing at the moment – risk and reward, and the rewards outweigh the risks at the moment.’
It’s certainly an interesting perspective from Warnock. After the 2-2 draw with Manchester United, a harsher section of followers hinted that Alexander-Arnold had downed tools due to Real Madrid’s pursuit of him.
This is something Warnock strenuously denies and he suggests that United spotted the opportunity for an ‘overload’ which, due to Salah’s advanced position on the pitch, Everton could exploit as well.
Tonight’s derby is sure to be electric. Moyes has highlighted Goodison’s ‘really difficult, intimidating atmosphere’ in the build-up to this one, the last in Walton before the Toffees move over two miles away to Bramley-Moore Dock.
Moyes only has four wins from 25 games against Liverpool as Everton boss but Goodison has been a frustrating place for the Premier League leaders. Nine of the last 12 derbies on the blue patch have ended in draws.
Warnock, who played in three Merseyside derbies, sta down to discuss the game with the Mail
David Moyes’ record against Liverpool is poor but Goodison has proven a stubborn ground
Rafa Benitez’s Everton were booed off the pitch in 2021 after they were torn apart 4-1. Some fans had left after 20 minutes with their rivals 2-0 up.
The players must try to tap into the crowd’s emotion but simultaneously rise above it, says Warnock.
‘I can see it from the perspective of a local lad who has grown up, knows the area, knows the fanbase and what’s happening, so that build-up during the week is: “I hope I don’t let people down, I hope I don’t make a mistake that leads to a goal,” Warnock tells Mail Sport.
‘Your mindset shouldn’t be that way, but because of the pressures that are on it, and the people that I knew in the area, both Liverpool and Everton fans, I probably over-thought the game.
‘But when you step out, it is 100 miles per hour, it’s frantic, trying not to give each other an inch, you want to buy into the crowd but you’ve got to drop your emotion and relax a bit more.
‘I remember Rafa Benitez said at Goodison: “we cannot win this game with 10 men.” You have to keep your emotion intact. That’s something that he almost felt Everton could be pushed by their crowd and that could play into their hands.
‘I don’t think people give David Moyes credit for what he’s achieved in his career. It’s not Dogs of War, it’s an understanding of how to tactically get the best out of your players.
The players must rise above the fiery atmosphere and not be drawn into the emotion, Warnock explains
Goodison Park has hosted 131 years of Merseyside derbies – Everton won the first one 3-0
‘It’s going to be a fascinating game. I’m not worried about it, but there’s that edge where there’s the unknown, but that’s most Merseyside derbies on the whole.’
Everton have been scoring freely since Moyes’ return – three against Tottenham, one against Brighton, and four against Leicester have represented good hauls, though they didn’t find the net against Aston Villa or Bournemouth.
Defending Liverpool’s left flank, Robertson looks set to face off against Jesper Lindstrom and Jake O’Brien.
The Scot has faced a genuine battle for game time with understudy Kostas Tsimikas this campaign. In his eighth season on Merseyside, he is facing criticism and questions over his future.
So much so, he admitted after a tough time against Bukayo Saka earlier this season that he is ‘trying to prove people wrong’.
‘People can write me off all they want,’ he said. ‘Last couple of games I’ve been on the bench and I got doubters for the first time in a long time, first time at this club.’
Warnock simply doesn’t see it. For him, Robertson is still playing some of his best football and is adapting well to a change of responsibilites under Arne Slot.
‘Anyone who judges Andrew Robertson off half a season and says they need to replace him needs a reality check. What the guy has done for the club over the previous seasons, he’s got a lot in the bank to know the quality is there,’ he says.
Andy Robertson is still playing ‘some of his best football’ and is adapting to a new role
Robertson has come under fire this season but relishes the task of ‘proving people wrong’
‘He’s had to adapt his position and change. He’s not that marauding full-back. Slot wants three at the back when they’re building up or when they’re getting counter-attacked.
‘He feels Robertson is good enough in one v one situations individually to be able to do that. That’s a side of the game that he has to get used to as well. People think you should just be able to do it, but it’s learning a new system and learning a new way of playing.
‘He’s still playing some of his best football. Maybe a little bit more inconsistently at times but just because of those chops and changes (with Tsimikas) and a lack of rest over the summer (after the European Championships).
‘If you had the biggest game in the world tomorrow, and Liverpool were playing in the Champions League final, does he start that game? Absolutely he does.’
Everton will take inspiration from Plymouth’s gritty win at the weekend. A real FA Cup giant-killing, no matter the bodies left at home.
Clearly Slot is taking the derby with utmost seriousness by resting his stars and is ready for any eventuality. As they say, form goes out the window for these ones.
And as the curtain comes down on 131 years of Goodison derbies, the game really ids a window: into the past, present, and future of these grand old clubs.
