Alberto Moreno’s arrival at Merseyside last season sparked optimism amongst the Kop. The youngster had been a huge part of the incredible Sevilla side of 2013-14 and would be a definite improvement over the full-backs at the club. Perhaps the optimism was ill warranted as the Spaniard was always touted to find it tough to replicate his Sevilla performances in a faster, more physical league by critics.
After a rather tough season where his performances came under immense scrutiny at times, Moreno is finally finding his feet in English football. He seems rejuvenated, confident and hungry to prove his critics wrong.
Attack
The full-back has always been hailed for his attacking abilities, a player who loves to get behind the defenders, run at them with the ball at his feet and create chances from the wings.
This season, he seems to have regained his Mojo. He gets behind defenders, takes his man on, beats them, makes good overlapping runs, improved his crossing and is at times not shy to have a pop at the goal himself. He has created a total of 30 chances in the Premier League and Europa League, more than any other Reds player. In the past, he has been found guilty of being lax with his passing in advanced positions leaving his side exposed, not this season. He has shown maturity in possession in and around the box and his ability to retain the same will help this Liverpool side reestablish its credentials as a top side in the league.
He averages close to 2 crosses per 90 minutes. In a side that has the likes of Benteke, his ability to deliver those crosses into the box will reap rich rewards and the Spaniard has been doing so relentlessly this season. Perhaps the only thing negative remark to his attacking abilities would be his inability to convert some clear cut chances that have come his way but he is a full back so we shouldn’t expect too much in this regard.
Defence
Moreno was deemed too one-dimensional last season, decent going forward, often horrid at the back. This season, he looks to have shook off his demons and improved at the back end of the pitch. His positioning off the ball already seems better. Even when he has been caught off guard, his pace has ensured that he has made recovered the situation. This season, he has made close to 3 successful tackles per 90 minutes, a few of which were incredible last ditch tackles to bail his team out of difficult situation. His pace and an improved maturity into reading the game have reaped better rewards too as he averages close to 2 interceptions per 90 minutes.
There are certain aspects of his game that need improvement, his first touch and his ability to maintain possession being two of them. He makes up for his lack of mass with his swiftness in a rather physical league and we see no reason to alter that unless it helps him avoid injury concerns.
Jurgen Klopp seems to have breathed some fresh air into this side. Despite the disheartening loss to Crystal Palace last weekend, Liverpool fans remain optimistic that they are undergoing a revolutionary change to bring back the glorious times. Moreno remains the first choice left-back at the club and will be keen to go from strength to strength this season. A stellar season could possibly land him on the plane to France for the Euro 16 come next summer.
I had high hopes for Alberto but his defending is poor and he is so one foot3ed it is embarrasing. If he learned to use his right foot he would improve a lot.