Thread by @babuyagu

The reason the whole Trent debate starts off flawed for me is the beginning premise being they are all the same thing. They aren't really.

First all, roles are far more important than positions in football. What Roberto Carlos did for Brazil isn't the same as what Konchesky did

at Fulham.

Which is why Hodgson sees no value in the former, tells him he isn't a left back, then sells him. Yet the latter, he brings with him to Liverpool as his only signing from his previous club.

But the more important thing is this:

How many teams' key player is a full back? It is incredibly rare. Trent is a transformative player. His talent is such that Klopp built his entire system around him (and Robbo) with them taking on the role of primary progressers

and creators in the Liverpool system. And before the pandemics, for about 2 years, they were one of the greatest teams we have ever seen.

Reece James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Keiran Trippier, Kyle Walker - none have that importance for their clubs.

Could any of them take on the role Trent has at Liverpool?

Of course, the more important question is, which can take on the role for England. And this is where it always gets really weird for me.

If you are playing 3 at the back, why is the focus for the only wide players in your system on how good they are defensively?

The primary function of the wide players in a 3 at the back system is to provide all the width. To dominate the flank. It is why you often see wide

midfielders or wingers used there rather than fullbacks.

Likewise, you often see defenders who are primarily fullbacks playing as the widest CBs in a 3. Because they are going to be responsible for a lot of defending in wide areas against wingers. You don't want a big, unagile

guy like Harry Maguire over near the touchline squaring up to Adama Traore... he's going to get rinsed.

And that is before we even get onto their midfield. If you are playing 3 at the back why do you need Rice in midfield? Nevermind Rice AND Henderson.

Think of it like this, in a back 4 there will usually be a #6 in front. In the buildup play he drops between the CBs to give you a 3. In the finishing phase he sits slightly ahead of the (probably split) CBs to protect that space through the middle and to mop up clearances

against the oppo forward. Hendo did this job at Liverpool before Fabinho, then again when he was injured.

But to have 3 proper CBs, 2 defensive full backs and 2 defensive midfielders is absolutely a shocking amount of overkill.

If you think with that lineup playing a right back that will be the main progressor and creator in your team and will dominate a flank is a problem - then your system is shit. It is setup to relegation battle. It is a West Brom 541. Why? We keep saying this is the most talented

England squad since, possibly ever. Yet we are accepting a 541 avoid-defeat mindset from a coach who won ~30% of his games in club football and who can't see a use for the only England player considered the best in the world in their position.

And that is before we even attack the "can't defend" myth.

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