Liverpool takes on Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, with roles reversed from last season and one player out of favor for Mikel Arteta’s team
What a 180 degree turn of events. A little over a year ago, an unstoppable Liverpool traveled to Arsenal and continued their march toward an unprecedented quadruple with a 2-0 victory.
At that point in time, the chasm between the two sides was obvious. Although they would eventually lose, the Reds were in the midst of a 19-game unbeaten streak that would see them miss out on the Premier League title by just one point. Meanwhile, the Gunners were about to embark on a disastrous run of four defeats in five games.
However, when Mikel Arteta leads his team into Anfield on Sunday, the roles have been completely reversed. Arsenal leads the table, while Liverpool would do well to secure any form of European football next season.
It’s a credit to the Arsenal manager that he’s been able to turn the club’s fortunes around so dramatically, with the signings made last summer, including Oleksandr Zinchenko, playing a key role. The former Manchester City left-back has been a key component in Arsenal’s resurgence as a force to be reckoned with, and his arrival has seen one of their brightest prospects fall out of favor.
It may seem like a long time ago, but Kieran Tierney arrived at the Emirates Stadium to much fanfare after leaving Celtic. Former Scotland great Pat Nevin even suggested that the youngster was an upgrade on international teammate Andy Robertson.
“I adore Tierney, and he’s more than capable of playing in the Premier League,” Nevin told the Racing Post in 2019. “He is a left-back, but he can also play on the left of a three or even a two.” He’d even do well at right-back.
“In fact, Tierney is better than Andy Robertson, and we all know how good he has been for Liverpool. Isn’t that typical? Scotland has been waiting for world-class players for years, and now they have two in the same position.”
Tierney’s career hasn’t gone as planned, and with Zinchenko on the rise, the 25-year-old has been linked with a move away this summer. Newcastle appears to be the frontrunner for his signature, according to the Telegraph, with a bid in excess of $37 million (£30 million/€34 million).
Given that Liverpool’s priorities this summer are elsewhere in the form of Jude Bellingham, it’s unlikely that they’d be willing to spend as much on a player who might not even be first-choice in his position. However, there are several factors that suggest he would be a wise signing if the Reds decided to pursue him.
Whether or not they finish in the top four this season, Newcastle and their bottomless well of cash will only get stronger in the transfer window. It may be a minor ding, but any opportunity to deny a competitor one of their top targets should not be overlooked.
Furthermore, the versatility Nevin mentioned four years ago would be extremely beneficial to Liverpool. Tierney has demonstrated for club and country that he is equally at home at center-back, and providing cover for Virgil van Dijk on the left side of the usual pairing would be extremely beneficial given the difficulties the Reds have faced when the Dutchman has been injured.
Tierney hasn’t seen much action at right-back, but having an alternative to Trent Alexander-Arnold would be a huge plus, especially with Calvin Ramsay still a long way from challenging for a place in the side. And, with Robertson approaching 30, his Scottish understudy could be the ideal heir to the throne — especially if he lives up to the potential Nevin and others see in him.
Furthermore, he already has a powerful supporter at Anfield in the form of Kenny Dalglish, who backed Tierney to prove his worth at Arsenal just a few months ago.
“Kieran was initially left out due to injury, and the player who came in for him has done well,” Dalglish explained to The Sunday Post.
“Mikel Arteta probably signed Zinchenko because he wants Arsenal to play like Manchester City, with full-backs playing on the inside rather than the outside.”
“Zinchenko was taught in that manner at City, so he is accustomed to it.” Kieran, on the other hand, is not. That is not to say Kieran has regressed as a player. It’s just that someone else has done a little bit better.
“He’ll respect where he’s at, and he’ll respect the boy who got in when he was hurt and nicked a step in front of him.” He would anticipate doing the same.”
Tierney could be a surprise but astute move for the Reds if he’s good enough for King Kenny.
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