Trent Alexander-Arnold: Liverpool’s Midfield Maestro
Since his debut for Liverpool in 2016, Trent Alexander-Arnold has become one of the most talked-about talents in modern football. The 25-year-old has made an impressive 310 appearances for Liverpool and continues to evolve, preparing for the upcoming 2024-25 campaign with the ethos and vigour of a seasoned professional.
Initially known for his role as a right-back, Alexander-Arnold has increasingly found himself playing in midfield for England, featuring in that position in six of his last seven starts. The versatility he brings to both his club and the national team has not gone unnoticed. Tim Jenkins, a former analyst and assistant coach for Liverpool's Under-21s, fondly recalls, "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."
The journey of Alexander-Arnold is a testament to his adaptability. Before solidifying his role at right-back, he played as a centre-half and a full-back for Michael Beale in the Under-15s age group. His ability to transition between positions demonstrates his deep understanding of the game and his unique skill set. The evolution of his playing style is something his former analysts have kept a close eye on. Jenkins noted, "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."
Despite his impressive track record, Alexander-Arnold experienced a setback with his absence from Liverpool's tour of America. Nevertheless, he quickly returned to form, starting the final pre-season friendly against Sevilla in his familiar right-back position. His contract with Liverpool expires this summer, leading to speculation about his future. He has even been linked to Real Madrid, a club known for attracting the world's elite talents.
Statistically, Alexander-Arnold's impact on the field is remarkable. In the 2018-19 season, he registered the third-highest tally of assists in the Premier League, with 12 assists. He followed up with 13 assists in the next season, second only to Kevin de Bruyne. More recently, 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 in the 99th percentile among full-backs in Europe's top five divisions. He also shone in expected assisted goals per 90 (0.37) and passes attempted (87.71), positioning him in the 99th percentile.
Jason McAteer, a former Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, and Republic of Ireland player, provided a broader context on the modern role of full-backs: "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 emphasized the challenge and importance of adapting to these expectations, saying, "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."
Alexander-Arnold’s journey from right-back to a hybrid midfielder highlights his growth and versatility. Tim Jenkins encapsulated it perfectly, "He can be a full-back when you haven't got the ball and a midfielder when you have." The player's own attributes have allowed him to remain indispensable, regardless of his position on the pitch. "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," Jenkins added.
The shift towards midfield, however, wasn't without its critiques. McAteer pointed out, "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." It speaks to the inherent challenges of playing at the highest level, where every strength can also reveal a weakness.
As Alexander-Arnold gears up for another season, the football world watches with bated breath. His future, whether at Liverpool or elsewhere, promises to be as dynamic and impactful as his career to date. With his blend of technical skill and tactical awareness, Alexander-Arnold remains a key figure in any discussion about the best full-backs and midfielders in modern football.