Since his debut in 2016, Trent Alexander-Arnold has cemented himself as a crucial component of Liverpool's squad, amassing 310 appearances by the tender age of 25. As the club gears up for the 2024-25 campaign, Alexander-Arnold's career continues to be a focal point for fans and analysts alike.
A Versatile Career
Trent Alexander-Arnold has predominantly made his name as a right-back, a position where his attacking prowess and pinpoint crossing have made him one of the best in the business. His ability to deliver assists from this role is unparalleled, as evidenced by his impressive tallies through various Premier League seasons. In 2018-19, he registered the third-highest number of assists with 12, followed by 13 assists the next season, second only to Kevin de Bruyne. His creativity continued unabated in the 2021-22 campaign, where he again hit 12 assists, topped only by Mohamed Salah.
A former analyst and assistant coach for Liverpool Under-21s, Tim Jenkins, noted, "If you look at the assists from earlier in his career, they came from wide." Jenkins contends that Alexander-Arnold has mastered the art of movement, now often drifting into the half-space to deliver from there. He adds, "Trent has had an ideal skill set to adapt to how the game has changed."
Notably, Alexander-Arnold's adaptability has seen him shift roles on the pitch. This chameleon-like ability is reflected in Gareth Southgate's utilization of him in midfield during England's recent matches, featuring in this role in six of his last seven starts. Despite this midfield experiment, he returned to his roots, starting the final pre-season friendly against Sevilla at right-back.
Origins and Evolution
Trent's journey has been nothing short of spectacular. Before fully committing to his now-iconic right-back role, he explored various positions. Jenkins recalls, "He'd played in midfield in Pep Lijnders' Under-16s, at the base of the diamond." His formative years saw him ply his trade as a center-half and full-back under Michael Beale for the Under-15s age group. It was during this time that his versatility truly began to shine, transitioning from right-back to right-wing and even back into central midfield.
This fluid positional play was echoed by Jason McAteer, a former player for Liverpool and the Republic of Ireland. "I started as a right-back and progressed into playing on the right wing," McAteer notes, illustrating a pathway similar to Alexander-Arnold's. "When Bruce Rioch came to Bolton, I evolved into a center-midfielder."
McAteer is quick to point out the modern demands on players like Alexander-Arnold, stating, "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."
On the International Stage
However, Alexander-Arnold's international outings have not always been smooth sailing. Referencing his role with the England squad, McAteer remarked, "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."
This nuanced understanding of his abilities means that balancing his role is crucial. "I think that hybrid full-back role is still his best position, where he can roll into the inside of the pitch," Jenkins opines. It's a dual role that aligns well with Jürgen Klopp's tactical dynamism and the evolution of modern football.
Future Uncertainties
Despite his integral role at Liverpool, speculation about Alexander-Arnold's future has been rife. With his contract expiring in the summer, rumors linking him to Real Madrid have gained traction. Absent from Liverpool's recent tour of America, this absence has only fueled further conjecture about his long-term ambitions and next move.
As the footballing community waits with bated breath, one aspect remains clear: wherever he plays, Trent Alexander-Arnold is bound to leave his mark. Jenkins aptly summarizes Klopp's view on the player, "Sometimes Trent will be on the outside, sometimes he’ll be on the inside – wherever he is, he’s just going to be Trent."