FSG have transformed Liverpool - but obvious error could end up costing millions

In the second part of his latest column, John Aldridge ponders the anniversary of FSG's takeover and the constant sniping at Trent Alexander-Arnold

FSG have transformed Liverpool - but obvious error could end up costing millions

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It’s now 14 years since Fenway Sports Group – or, as they were known then, New England Sports Ventures – took over as Liverpool owners. And while not everything they have done has been greeted with universal approval, there can be no doubt they have gone on to become great custodians of the club.

They certainly got a good deal when they bought us on the cheap back in October 2010 given the bad position we were left in by those two cowboys, Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Where we are now compared to then is almost unrecognisable. That says much about what FSG have done for the club.

They are steady businessmen and, in many respects, treat the club as just that – a business.

It has meant we haven’t been able to spend money like Manchester City and a number of other clubs, which at times has caused a bit of an issue with supporters regards missing out on transfers, but that hasn’t stopped us being major competitors over the last decade.

The transformation of Anfield will perhaps be their greatest legacy once they decide to sell. What they have done to the stadium is absolutely magnificent, bringing it up to modern standards and beyond. It’s a proper venue for more than just football.

But, like any owners, they could have done and can still do better. Their failings – especially the European Super League idea – have been rightly criticised.

And the obvious ongoing error is having allowed Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah to enter the last year of their current contracts.

Think about the year when Alisson Becker, Van Dijk and Fabinho all came in. That was great business.

So to lose three players in one go would be a huge blow. And, in terms of trying to replace them, pretty costly also.

Trent the right combination

Another international break, another chance to punch holes in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defending.

I honestly don’t know a player who has had to put up with as much nit-picking as the Liverpool defender, who seems to be scrutinised by just about everyone to the nth degree.

Look, his forte is going forward. That is beyond doubt. He’s the best attacking full-back in the world.

And Liverpool have so far this season found a way for him to do that without exposing themselves too much at the back, whether it be Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai or Curtis Jones dropping back to cover.

The job of the manager is to allow Alexander-Arnold to perform at his best and Arne Slot is finding a way to do that right now.

Of course Trent can defend. He just happens to be better when on the offensive.

Going forward you’d rate him 10 out of 10, while defensively he’s a seven or an eight. Most other right-backs are an eight defensively, the very best a nine, but are only a six going forward.

I know which combination I’d sooner have. And that’s Trent’s.

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