Trent Alexander-Arnold's Evolution: From Right-Back to Midfield Maestro
Since making his debut for Liverpool in 2016, Trent Alexander-Arnold has transformed himself from a promising academy talent into one of the club's most indispensable players. With 310 appearances for the Reds and a reputation as one of the best full-backs in the world, Alexander-Arnold's journey has been fascinating to observe.
A Versatile Career
Primarily known for his time at right-back, Alexander-Arnold's versatility has come to the fore more recently, especially in his appearances 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. "He was right in the middle of the pitch and involved in everything." This background has made it easier for Alexander-Arnold to adapt to different roles on the pitch.
In his most recent stints with the national team, he has featured in midfield in six of his last seven starts. However, when it comes to Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold has spent the majority of his career at right-back, a position that has allowed him to exploit his attacking capabilities.
A Change in Role
The modern game demands more from full-backs, a sentiment echoed by former Liverpool player Jason McAteer. "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," he explains. Alexander-Arnold has exemplified this evolution, becoming a pivotal player in both defense and attack.
During the 2018-19 Premier League season, Alexander-Arnold registered the third-highest tally of assists with 12, followed by 13 assists the next season, second only to Kevin de Bruyne. His knack for creating goal-scoring opportunities from the right flank is unparalleled. Tim Jenkins elaborates, "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."
Statistical Dominance
Last season, Alexander-Arnold's numbers were staggering, consistently ranking in the 99th percentile among full-backs in Europe's top five divisions in various metrics, including shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (5.25) and expected assisted goals per 90 minutes (0.37). His impressive tally of 87.71 passes attempted per 90 minutes illustrates his centrality to Liverpool's playstyle.
Not just a passer, Alexander-Arnold also excelled in delivering long passes and switches of play, ranking eighth in the Premier League for the former (147) and third for the latter (32).
Adapting to New Roles
Despite his offensive prowess, there have been criticisms about Alexander-Arnold's defensive capabilities, especially when deployed as a deep-lying midfielder. "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," says McAteer. The balancing act of leveraging his strengths while mitigating his weaknesses remains a topic of ongoing discussion.
"Reading the game is a big thing for a central midfielder, knowing where you are on the pitch," McAteer adds, highlighting the complexities of transitioning between roles. However, his former coaches and analysts believe that Alexander-Arnold is particularly suited for a hybrid role. "I think that hybrid full-back role is still his best position, where he can roll into the inside of the pitch," asserts Tim Jenkins. "He can be a full-back when you haven't got the ball and a midfielder when you have."
Looking Ahead
As Alexander-Arnold approaches the peak years of his career at 25, he is preparing for Liverpool's 2024-25 campaign and has been linked to Real Madrid, adding a layer of speculation about his future. Additionally, his contract is set to expire in the summer, which will undoubtedly be a point of negotiation for Liverpool's management.
With his undeniable talent and unique skill set, Alexander-Arnold's evolution as a player will continue to be a significant narrative in football. As Klopp succinctly puts it, "Wherever he is, he’s just going to be Trent." Whether as a right-back, a midfielder, or a hybrid of both, Trent Alexander-Arnold's story is far from finished, and the football world will be keenly watching what comes next.