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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Richard Garnett

Exclusive: Defender sold by Liverpool believes he suits Jurgen Klopp philosophy and makes Trent Alexander-Arnold claim

An ex-Liverpool player who blossomed as an attacking full back is convinced he would prosper under the system now used by the current side.

And Jason McAteer even joked that it would be a flip of the coin between whether himself or Trent Alexander-Arnold got the nod for a starting berth.

Supporters have become accustomed to seeing Jurgen Klopp play with fullbacks pushed high up the pitch, bringing an extra attacking dimension to Liverpool's play, more often than not, delivering scintillating results.

READ MORE: Fabio Carvalho set for Liverpool audition as missing clause may prove telling

READ MORE: 'Look at the contract' - John Barnes makes claim over Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah at Liverpool

But the German is by no means the first Anfield boss to structure a side in such a way, with McAteer converting from midfield to the position of right-wing back under Roy Evans - a switch that cemented himself a place in the side.

Speaking to the Echo on behalf of LV BET, he said: “I actually think I fit into Jurgen’s philosophy. I think it would be a toss-up between me and Trent!

“But I think I’ve got all the attributes for what Jurgen wanted so I kind of picture myself slotting in to that right hand side."

McAteer joined Liverpool from Bolton Wanderers in a £4.5million deal back in 1995 after impressing under Bruce Rioch as a central midfielder.

But the presence of big name stars and Evans' defensive trio of Phil Babb, John Scales and Neil Ruddock resulted in the development of a 3-5-2 system that allowed The Reds to get their best players onto the pitch together.

McAteer said: “The idea was for me and Jamie (Redknapp) to play in midfield, but Barnsey (John Barnes) went another couple of seasons. He was like a Duracell bunny. Just kept going and going.

“It was only us and Aston Villa playing three at the back at the time and playing wingbacks.

“I ended up slotting in on the right hand side when Rob Jones got injured and I was asked to play it.

“I kind of accommodated at lot of the talent that we had. Roy managed to get Robbie (Fowler) and Stan (Collymore) in the team together, which was a great partnership. Steve McManaman, who he wanted to have a free roll, was catered for in that formation.

“And then you also had me and Stig (Inge Bjornebye) , who probably weren’t the best defenders but because we had the cushion of another centre half, that could accommodate us getting forward and being very expansive and attacking, which was how Liverpool wanted to play.

“I catered for a lot of the players in the team and their attributes, so we kind of fell upon it really.

“Like this team today, it was very easy on the eye, created lots of chances, but maybe not as defensively minded as what this team is, although they do play a different formation but in very similar ways.

“The team was brilliant, but we just came up against a very good Manchester United team.”

Despite only returning one League Cup trophy, the Roy Evans era was considered to have a highly entertaining team packed full of talent that resulted in a number of thrilling contests.

Among them are the two sensational 4-3 epics against Newcastle United at Anfield in the 95/96 and 96/97 seasons, the first of which was later voted as the Premier League Game of the Decade.

McAteer was fortunate to play in both but has a clear favourite.

He said: “The first one was my favourite, because it went 1-0, 1-1, 2-1 backwards and forwards - the second game we were 3-0 up and it came back to 3-3 and it was another last minute winner. Robbie (Fowler) had to get us out of jail.

“I just remember thinking at the time, knowing we had a day off the next day, we weren’t going to be given it because we’d squandered a 3-0 lead at home. It was a different mindset!

“The first one was probably more entertaining because it was backwards and forwards, but they were two amazing games to play in. Different in their own ways.

“We probably dented Newcastle’s title hopes with the first one, because they were going for the title around that time.

“The atmosphere was amazing. I remember just not feeling tired in all honesty. As energetic as the games were.

"They were just amazing games."

  • Jason McAteer is the official UK & Ireland ambassador for LV BET.
  • See exclusive content with Jason here @LVBET_com
  • And for all Jason’s latest Football picks you can find them here

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