In a season of general progress at Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold might have been left feeling there is still plenty more to come.
The versatile defender saw his status as Anfield’s creative fulcrum become even more pronounced in April of last year when a tactical tweak saw him shifted into midfield when in possession and while it was yielding results, it inevitably placed more strain on the defenders, particularly the right-sided centre-half.
As a result, it was a weapon that only used sporadically in the closing months of last season and a hamstring injury picked up in an otherwise outstanding performance against Aston Villa in September left Alexander-Arnold sidelined for a month.
Nine assists across all competitions is the England international’s joint lowest since he really became a first-team star in 2018 and an inability to be named in the same side as Andy Robertson on a consistent basis hurt Liverpool from a creative standpoint. Just four of those assists came in the Premier League, which is a remarkably low figure for someone who has broken double figures three times and generally become renowned for his ability to supply.
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That being said, the total appearance figure of 37 was Alexander-Arnold’s lowest since he played 33 times in 2017/18. An inability to get on the pitch, particularly between January and April, hurt both the numbers and the progress Jurgen Klopp’s side were able to make.
Conor Bradley emerged as an outstanding prospect in Alexander-Arnold’s absence and the Northern Irishman has lessened the need for a back-up to his more senior colleague, while also providing a genuine alternative should new head coach Arne Slot wish to play the West Derby-born defender further up the field.
If the assists were down on recent years, the goals scored column was Alexander-Arnold’s highest in four seasons. A clean strike against Manchester City earned an important point at Manchester City before a wonderful free-kick against Fulham in December was given as a Bernd Leno own goal. The No.66 went on to score a dramatic winner in the same game before a free-kick in the corresponding fixture at Craven Cottage opened the scoring last month. With a wand on the end of his right leg, more goals from set-pieces is something he should be targeting next season.
The contract issue continues to linger, though, and with a little over 12 months left on his terms, Liverpool need to be wary of taking Alexander-Arnold’s loyalty and status as a lifelong Reds fan for granted.
