Trent Alexander-Arnold’s assist streak has produced plentiful Dream Team points – but is his limited schedule a problem?
ONE way or another, Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.4m) always finds a way to finish among the Premier League’s top assist providers.
Just a month ago, such a prospect seemed impossible.
Liverpool’s No66 had just two league assists to his name on April 8th and it looked as if his disappointing campaign from a defensive perspective would be compounded by a lack of concrete output in the creative department.
However, the 24-year-old flicked a switch and notched six assists in the space of five fixtures, a fruitful burst facilitated by Jurgen Klopp’s increasing inclination to give Alexander-Arnold minutes in midfield.
The Reds’ upsurge has probably come too late for them to make top four this season but plenty of Dream Team gaffers have enjoyed their renaissance of late.
Mohamed Salah (£8.5m) has banked 72 points across the last eight Game Weeks and the Anfield faithful have even been treated to a glimpse of an unhampered Diogo Jota (£4.4m) following some frustrating injury setbacks.
But it’s the form of Alexander-Arnold, who is now joint-fifth among Premier League assist providers for 2022/23, that has excited Dream Team bosses most as the England international is a top-tier asset when in the groove.
His assist streak came to an end against Fulham on Wednesday night but he swooped the Star Man award to continue his purple patch.
Liverpool’s local hero has now amassed 72 points in the last ten Game Weeks.
This is a remarkable run for a defender who has only contributed to one clean sheet in his last nine outings.
No doubt many Dream Team managers will be thinking of using one of their May transfers (available from Friday morning) to bring Alexander-Arnold into their team.
And that may well be a smart move but it’s worth noting the main drawback: Liverpool’s fixtures.
It’s not that Klopp’s side face a difficult run-in (Brentford, Leicester, Aston Villa, Southampton) it’s that they have just four fixtures left to fulfil before the end of the season.
Six teams will be busier in the coming weeks and so assets from Manchester City, Newcastle, Manchester United, Brighton, Chelsea (not so much) and West Ham have an edge in terms of the schedule.
Saying that, Alexander-Arnold has the necessary pedigree to outscore some quality players despite a fixture deficit.
Something for gaffers to ponder when plotting their strategy for the season’s climax.