As Liverpool gears up for the 2024-25 campaign, all eyes are on Trent Alexander-Arnold, the club’s prized right-back who has redefined his position. With 310 appearances for Liverpool since his debut in 2016, the 25-year-old has been a cornerstone for both club and country.
A Versatile Asset
Throughout his career, Alexander-Arnold has showcased remarkable adaptability. While primarily a right-back, he has increasingly found himself in midfield roles, particularly for the England national team. "He'd played in midfield in Pep Lijnders' Under-16s, at the base of the diamond," recalls Tim Jenkins, a former analyst and assistant coach for Liverpool Under-21s. Jenkins describes Alexander-Arnold as someone who was "right in the middle of the pitch and involved in everything."
This versatility is not a new development. Before the Under-16s, Alexander-Arnold played as a centre-half and full-back under Michael Beale in the Under-15s age group. Despite his varied experiences, his return to the right-back position for the final pre-season friendly against Sevilla suggests a balancing act between his inherent versatility and the club's immediate needs.
The Evolution of a Playmaker
Alexander-Arnold’s impact is perhaps best illustrated by his staggering assist records. In the 2018-19 season, he tallied 12 assists, cementing him as a top playmaker. He improved this figure to 13 assists the following season, second only to Kevin de Bruyne. His knack for creating opportunities is further exemplified by last season’s statistics. His average of 5.25 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes ranked him in the 99th percentile among full-backs in Europe's top five leagues. Additionally, his contributions in expected assisted goals per 90 (0.37) and passes attempted (87.71) were equally impressive.
Jason McAteer, former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland player, emphasizes how the role of the full-back has evolved. "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," McAteer explains. Alexander-Arnold embodies this modern role perfectly, as he has increasingly operated in the half-space, delivering precise passes and contributing to the team's offensive play from inside positions.
Challenging Phases and Comeback
Every high-flying career has its turbulent moments. Alexander-Arnold was notably absent from Liverpool’s tour of America, raising concerns among fans, especially with his contract set to expire this summer. Moreover, his midfield role with England has garnered mixed reviews. "His qualities are there to be seen, but you can be exposed,” McAteer points out. "Trent's weakest attribute is his defending and he was playing as a deep-lying midfielder. He was great on the ball, but without it he was exposed and he became a bit of a scapegoat."
Despite these challenges, Jenkins believes in Alexander-Arnold's adaptive strengths. “We played one game against Leicester at home and Jurgen [Klopp] came to watch. We were 4-0 up before half-time and he’d created everything from the right. He looked like he’d gone up three or four levels,” recalls Jenkins. It was moments like these that demonstrated Trent’s ability to step up when it mattered the most.
Future Prospects
As the 2024-25 season beckons, the looming question is whether Alexander-Arnold will extend his contract with Liverpool or pursue new challenges, with Real Madrid reportedly showing interest. The youngster's journey has been a testament to his evolving role in modern football. Klopp himself has acknowledged Trent’s unique position: “Sometimes Trent will be on the outside, sometimes he'll be on the inside – wherever he is, he’s just going to be Trent.”
Ultimately, Trent Alexander-Arnold represents the epitome of a modern footballer, seamlessly blending defensive duties with offensive creativity. Whether at Liverpool or potentially in new pastures, his career will undoubtedly continue to captivate football enthusiasts worldwide.