How Trent Alexander-Arnold In Midfield Makes Liverpool Better Both Offensively And Defensively
Trent Alexander-Arnold has often been regarded as the best right-back in the Premier League over the past five seasons.
The 24-year-old's performances on the right side of Liverpool's defense have seen him voted into the PFA Team of the Year in the 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2021/22 seasons.
But Alexander-Arnold actually played as a midfielder during his days in the Liverpool youth team when he was hailed by some as the next Steven Gerrard.
On Monday night, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp played Alexander-Arnold in a hybrid role, fusing the positions of right-back with central midfield.
It worked a treat. Alexander-Arnold claimed two assists as Liverpool thrashed Leeds 6-1 at Elland Road.
In total, he had 153 touches of the ball, completed 124 passes, 12 accurate long-balls and 20 passes into the final third.
Alexander-Arnold effectively operated as a deep-lying central playmaker when Liverpool had possession.
When Leeds had the ball, he would quickly retreat to right-back where central defender Ibrahima Konate had been covering in his absence.
Why It Worked So Well
It has long been argued that Alexander-Arnold is excellent as an attacking player but sometimes vulnerable defensively.
This new role made him more effective in both aspects.
By dropping into the space behind Liverpool's three-man midfield, Alexander-Arnold was able to get on the ball more often and have more time to see the game in front of him.
Also, by allowing him to do his offensive work in centerfield rather than high up the right wing, Alexander-Arnold had less ground to cover when he needed to get back into his defensive position. This made Liverpool less vulnerable to counter-attacks.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher asked Klopp on Monday Night Football if his tactical change had been made primarily to improve his team offensively or defensively.
Klopp replied: "Both, because it's Trent.
"It was an exceptional pass for Darwin Nunez's goal. There were a couple of superb passes in the first half, one for Mo [Salah], another for Hendo [Jordan Henderson].
"He can do both, but we do need to be protected better because we have been conceding too many counter-attacks, lost balls in wrong moments."
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pictured (left) hugging Trent Alexander-Arnold after the player's excellent performance in a 6-1 win over Leeds
IMAGO/News Images/Mark Cosgrove
Former Liverpool defender Carragher was also very impressed.
He said: "Trent has provided quality from an unconventional full-back position - he plays the role differently. But, for me, watching him in midfield, getting more involved, running the game, I think this is almost perfect for him."
John Stones has been playing in a similar role for Manchester City recently but Carragher thinks that Alexander-Arnold offers a lot more than his fellow England international in an attacking sense.
"We talk about John Stones at the moment, doing this brilliantly for Manchester City," Carragher continued. "Now, Trent is a better passer.
"Stones is great and has great composure on the ball, but, in terms of defense-splitting passes: no, that's what this lad's got - and only Kevin De Bruyne is better than him at that in the Premier League."
