Trent Alexander-Arnold: A Midfield Revolution in the Making?
Since making his debut for Liverpool in 2016, Trent Alexander-Arnold has amassed an impressive 310 appearances for the club. Now 25 years old and preparing for Liverpool's 2024-25 campaign, Alexander-Arnold finds himself at a crossroads, transitioning from his long-held position at right-back to a more central role in midfield, particularly for England, where he has played in midfield in six of his last seven starts.
The versatility of Alexander-Arnold has been a talking point among football analysts and coaches. Tim Jenkins, a former analyst and assistant coach for Liverpool's Under-21s, has observed Alexander-Arnold's progress closely over the 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." This early adaptability set the stage for his multifaceted career.
Alexander-Arnold's career trajectory is as dynamic as his playing style. Before the Under-16s, he played as a centre-half and full-back for Michael Beale in the Under-15s age group. His versatility was evident even in his youth. "When he went into the Under-18s with Neil Critchley, they started to help him use his physical attributes a bit, so he played on the outside as a right winger or a right full-back," adds Jenkins.
Recent seasons have been a testament to Alexander-Arnold’s growing influence in the game. During the 2018-19 season, he registered the third-highest tally of assists in the Premier League with 12 assists. This was followed by 13 assists in the next season, second only to Kevin de Bruyne. In the 2021-22 campaign, his tally of 12 assists was only bettered by Mohamed Salah. Last season, he ranked in the 99th percentile for shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (5.25) and expected assisted goals per 90 (0.37) among full-backs in Europe’s top five divisions, illustrating his game-changing skills.
Despite his offensive prowess, Alexander-Arnold has faced criticism for his defensive capabilities. Jason McAteer, a former Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers player, offers a balanced perspective: "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.” McAteer suggests that the modern game's demands have reshaped traditional roles. "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."
Given his wide-ranging skillset, Alexander-Arnold's shift to a hybrid role seems logical. "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," Jenkins notes. This hybrid role, where he functions both as a full-back in defensive scenarios and as a midfielder in attacking plays, could be the perfect fit. "I think that hybrid full-back role is still his best position, where he can roll into the inside of the pitch,” Jenkins opines. “He can be a full-back when you haven’t got the ball and a midfielder when you have."
Indeed, Alexander-Arnold’s creative energy on the field is indispensable for Liverpool. Last season, he ranked third among outfielders in the Premier League for switches of play (32) and eighth for total successful long passes (147). His ability to read the game and deliver decisive passes makes him a valuable asset. "We look at him as this passing genius, great with the ball at his feet and creative," McAteer remarks.
For Alexander-Arnold, his journey from youth football to becoming one of the best assist providers in the Premier League mirrors the evolution of his playing style. "If you see footage of him playing when he was little, he was basically the same player. You'd see all the driving runs, the physical attributes, his ball-striking and his passing over distance," Jenkins reflects. "He's just adapted his strengths into whatever position he plays."
As Liverpool gears up for the new season and Alexander-Arnold's contract approaches its conclusion next summer, speculation abounds regarding his future, with links to Real Madrid surfacing. However, regardless of where he plays, his unique blend of skills will continue to make him a pivotal figure in any team.
Jurgen Klopp perhaps sums it up best, as Jenkins recalls: "Klopp would say that sometimes Trent will be on the outside, sometimes he'll be on the inside – wherever he is, he’s just going to be Trent." And that seems to be the essence of Alexander-Arnold's brilliance – his ability to adapt, evolve, and excel, no matter where he finds himself on the pitch.