Trent Alexander-Arnold's Versatile Journey
Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to grow and evolve in ways that make him a unique asset to both club and country. Having made 310 appearances since his debut in 2016, the 25-year-old is now gearing up for Liverpool's 2024-25 campaign with an impressive résumé that speaks volumes about his adaptability and skillset.
Known for his exceptional abilities as a right-back, Alexander-Arnold has recently showcased his versatility by playing in midfield for England in six of his last seven appearances. This shift isn't entirely new territory for him; Tim Jenkins, a former analyst and assistant coach for Liverpool Under-21s, sheds some light on his early years. "He'd played in midfield in Pep Lijnders' Under-16s, at the base of the diamond," Jenkins recalls. "He was right in the middle of the pitch and involved in everything."
From these early stages, it was clear that Alexander-Arnold wasn’t just another promising youth player. Jenkins remembers that before the Under-16s, Alexander-Arnold played as a centre-half and full-back under Michael Beale for the Under-15s. "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 says. "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."
Season Highlights and Statistics
Alexander-Arnold's statistics paint a picture of a player who excels in creating chances and making significant contributions on the field. In the 2018-19 season, he registered the third-highest tally of assists in the Premier League with 12. The following season, he upped the ante with 13 assists, second only to Kevin de Bruyne. His contributions have been consistently remarkable; during the 2021-22 campaign, his tally of 12 assists was bettered only by Mohamed Salah.
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 also ranked eighth among outfielders in the Premier League for total successful long passes (147) and third for switches of play (32).
Jason McAteer, a former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland player, explains how the modern game's evolution suits players like Alexander-Arnold. "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 notes. "Trent has got that many attributes that you've got to get him into the team. You look at Trent now and he's grown up, he's evolved."
Challenges and Future Prospects
However, it's not all smooth sailing for the Liverpool star. While Alexander-Arnold's attacking prowess is undeniable, his defensive capabilities have sometimes been called into question. "Trent's weakest attribute is his defending and he was playing as a deep-lying midfielder," McAteer says, noting how he sometimes became a scapegoat. "He was great on the ball, but without it he was exposed."
Despite these challenges, there’s a general consensus that Alexander-Arnold’s best position might be in a hybrid full-back role. "I think that hybrid full-back role is still his best position, where he can roll into the inside of the pitch," Jenkins suggests. "He can be a full-back when you haven't got the ball and a midfielder when you have."
Jurgen Klopp's flexible approach aligns well with this sentiment. According to Jenkins, Klopp would often say, "Sometimes Trent will be on the outside, sometimes he'll be on the inside – wherever he is, he’s just going to be Trent."
A Player for All Seasons
Alexander-Arnold’s adaptability on the field underscores his importance to Liverpool and offers a glimpse of his potential future impact. With his contract set to expire in the summer, he has been linked to Real Madrid, sparking discussions about where his career might go next. Regardless of what the future holds, one thing is clear: Trent Alexander-Arnold is a player who continues to evolve, adapt, and drive the game forward.
And as Liverpool prepares for another taxing season, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see where and how Trent Alexander-Arnold will make his next mark.