As Trent Alexander-Arnold prepares for Liverpool’s 2024-25 campaign, the question on everyone’s mind is: what is his best position? The 25-year-old has spent the majority of his senior career as a right-back for the Reds, but with lingering doubts over his defending, some believe he should be utilized in midfield, where he has excelled for England. Former England defender Gary Neville has described Alexander-Arnold as a “generational talent,” while ex-England boss Gareth Southgate has praised his “exceptional” passing range.
The Evolution of a Full-Back
Alexander-Arnold’s development as a player has been nothing short of remarkable. From his early days as a centre-half and full-back in Liverpool’s Under-15s to his current status as one of the world’s top right-backs, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to adapt and improve. Tim Jenkins, a former analyst and assistant coach for Liverpool Under-21s, remembers Alexander-Arnold’s early days as a player: “He’d played in midfield in Pep Lijnders’ Under-16s, at the base of the diamond. He was right in the middle of the pitch and involved in everything.”
As Alexander-Arnold progressed through the ranks, he began to play more as a right winger or right full-back. Jenkins recalls: “When he went into the Under-18s with Neil Critchley, they started to help him use his physical attributes a bit. 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.” This was a turning point in Alexander-Arnold’s career, as he began to demonstrate the skills and attributes that would make him a top-class full-back.
The Debate Over Alexander-Arnold’s Position
Despite his success as a right-back, there are those who believe Alexander-Arnold would be better utilized in midfield. Former Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, and Republic of Ireland player Jason McAteer, who played as a right-back and central midfielder during his career, is one such person. McAteer believes that the modern game has changed the role of the full-back, making it more akin to 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 argues that Alexander-Arnold’s attributes make him an ideal candidate for a midfield role. “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.” However, others, such as Jenkins, believe that Alexander-Arnold’s best position is still as a full-back. “I think that hybrid full-back role is still his best position, where he can roll into the inside of the pitch. He can be a full-back when you haven’t got the ball and a midfielder when you have.”
A Midfielder at Heart
Alexander-Arnold’s experiences playing in midfield for England have shown that he has the potential to excel in this role. In six of his last seven starts for the national team, he has played in midfield, demonstrating his ability to adapt to different positions. Southgate has praised Alexander-Arnold’s passing range, saying he has “as good a passing range as anybody in world football.”
However, McAteer believes that Alexander-Arnold’s weaknesses as a defender are exposed when he plays in midfield. “His qualities are there to be seen, but you can be exposed. Time and space are your best mates in football. If you’re not given that by the player alongside you, defending and taking players away, you’re not going to flourish.” This raises questions about whether Alexander-Arnold would be better suited to a more advanced role, where he can utilize his passing range and creativity without being exposed defensively.
The Influence of New Manager Arne Slot
With new manager Arne Slot taking the reins at Liverpool, the question on everyone’s mind is: how will he utilize Alexander-Arnold? Slot has a reputation for playing a 4-3-3 or 4-2-1-3 formation, which could potentially see Alexander-Arnold playing in a more advanced role. However, Slot has declined to comment on where he plans to play Alexander-Arnold, leaving fans and pundits alike to speculate.
As the 2024-25 season approaches, one thing is certain: Trent Alexander-Arnold will be a key player for Liverpool. Whether he plays as a right-back, midfielder, or in a more advanced role, his influence on the team will be significant. With his exceptional passing range, creativity, and vision, Alexander-Arnold is a player who can make a difference in any position.
Stats and Figures
* Alexander-Arnold has made 310 appearances for Liverpool since his debut in 2016.
* He has registered 12 assists in the 2018-19 season, the third-highest tally in the Premier League.
* In the 2019-20 season, he provided 13 assists, second only to Kevin de Bruyne.
* Last season, Alexander-Arnold’s average of 5.25 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes in the Premier League and Europa League ranked in the 99th percentile among full-backs in Europe’s top five divisions.
* He was also in the 99th percentile when it came to expected assisted goals per 90 (0.37) and passes attempted (87.71) and the 98th percentile for progressive passes (8.69).
Alexander-Arnold’s stats and figures demonstrate his exceptional ability as a player. Whether he plays as a right-back or midfielder, he has the potential to make a significant impact on the game. As the 2024-25 season approaches, fans and pundits alike will be eagerly watching to see how new manager Arne Slot utilizes this talented player.