Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a cornerstone of Liverpool since his debut in 2016, making 310 appearances over the course of a burgeoning career. At 25, he is now gearing up for Liverpool's 2024-25 campaign, a season that holds significant promise and challenges for the Merseyside club.
Versatility on the Field
Over the years, Alexander-Arnold has primarily been known for his role as a right-back, a position where he has garnered considerable acclaim. His contributions to Liverpool have been monumental, not merely as a defender but as a playmaker. In the 2018-19 season, he registered 12 assists, the third highest in the Premier League. The following season, he surpassed that tally with 13 assists, second only to Kevin de Bruyne.
Interestingly, his versatility has been on full display with the England national team, where he has featured in midfield in six of his last seven starts. Tim Jenkins, a former analyst and assistant coach for Liverpool Under-21s, recalls, "He'd played in midfield in Pep Lijnders' Under-16s, at the base of the diamond. He was right in the middle of the pitch and involved in everything."
A Journey Through the Ranks
Alexander-Arnold's football journey began much earlier. Before his Under-16 days, he played as a centre-half and a full-back for Michael Beale in the Under-15s age group. His talent and versatility were evident even then. "I remember he had a real purple patch after he'd done pre-season with the first team then came back to play with the Under-21s," Jenkins notes.
This versatility has allowed him to evolve with the changing demands of modern football. Jason McAteer, a former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland player, stated, "Today's full-back is a lot more like a wing-back. You've got to get forward. You've got to get balls into the box. And you have this hybrid role where you come into midfield."
The Modern Playmaker
Alexander-Arnold's ability to adapt is a testament to his intelligence and skill. Last season, his average of 5.25 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes in the Premier League and Europa League ranked him in the 99th percentile among full-backs in Europe's top five divisions. He was also in the 99th percentile for expected assisted goals per 90 (0.37) and passes attempted (87.71).
Jenkins remarks on this evolution: "If you look at the assists from earlier in his career, they came from wide. More recently, he's been able to move inside into the half-space and deliver from there. Trent has had an ideal skillset to adapt to how the game has changed."
Challenges and Innovations
Despite his brilliance on the ball, Alexander-Arnold has faced criticism for his defensive capabilities. McAteer offers a nuanced view, "His qualities are there to be seen, but you can be exposed. Time and space are your best mates in football. If you're not given that by the player alongside you, defending and taking players away, you're not going to flourish." This speaks to the complex demands placed on modern full-backs, who must balance offensive and defensive duties.
Tim Jenkins further elaborates on this point by discussing Alexander-Arnold's hybrid role: "I think that hybrid full-back role is still his best position, where he can roll into the inside of the pitch. He can be a full-back when you haven't got the ball and a midfielder when you have."
Future Prospects
Alexander-Arnold's contract with Liverpool is set to expire in the summer, and he has been linked with a move to Real Madrid. His absence from Liverpool's tour of America raised eyebrows, yet he started the final pre-season friendly against Sevilla at right-back, indicating his continued importance to the squad.
Klopp's tactical flexibility has allowed Alexander-Arnold to flourish. "Sometimes Trent will be on the outside, sometimes he'll be on the inside – wherever he is, he’s just going to be Trent," Jenkins says, encapsulating the player's unique ability to adapt and excel.
As Liverpool prepares for another challenging season, Trent Alexander-Arnold remains a pivotal figure, embodying the modern footballer's ability to adapt, innovate, and lead. His journey offers valuable insights into the evolving nature of football and the enduring importance of versatility and intelligence on the field.