Trent Alexander-Arnold is a hot topic as a midfielder at the moment, but Jurgen Klopp made four signings in the summer to eliminate that option for Liverpool.
Liverpool faced two tough challenges in the Premier League last weekend. The Reds faced Manchester City away from home before taking on Fulham at Anfield, falling behind in the latter stages of both games before a certain superstar saved the game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold scored crucial goals in each of the two games, equalizing against Pep Guardiola’s men and netting both goals to hold the champions to a 1-1 draw after a dramatic win over the Cottagers on Sunday afternoon.
His significant goalscoring contributions caused a storm among fans and pundits alike, with the sporting world quickly debating whether the England international should be Liverpool’s full-time midfielder. He has spent more time in the center of the park in the last six months but is still primarily a right-back.
Alexander-Arnold’s performance in the final third led many to believe he should always be in the engine room. Gary Lineker is one such believer, as is Jermain Jenas, who is often mentioned in Match of the Day.
Gareth Southgate has deployed Alexander-Arnold in midfield at international level and the Scouse defender has spoken directly about the summer move (via Liverpool’s official website): “I love playing in the middle of the park.
Be happy and enjoy the challenge of both. So you know I want to play there next season, but it’s not my decision where I play.”Alexander-Arnold’s future role is currently a hot topic among fans, with Jurgen Klopp saying in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday afternoon:
“It’s about us.” “What do we have? Is Joey (Gomez) there? Connor (Bradley) are you there? Yes, Trent can play in midfield. I’ve always known that. But Trent can play the role very well, so that’s it.”We will see. If you want to be a good person, you have to be influential in all areas. Because it just makes us better people.
If he plays well, as he clearly showed in the last game, it means a lot. We play where we see fit. He could definitely play more inside. Play where it suits us. this is correct.” Klopp’s words are very important.
The German makes sense because if Alexander-Arnold doesn’t play at right-back, someone else will play in his absence. Liverpool have two options apart from the number 66 – centre-back Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley, who is yet to make his Premier League debut.
Alexander-Arnold could help the Reds as a full-time midfielder, but imposing high-profile tactical ideas as an 11-man unit could weaken Anfield, particularly in attack. It’s fair to say that Gomez and Bradley will also need to improve if they are to represent Liverpool as starters every week.
Meanwhile, Klopp has four pieces of advice for fans this summer. In the transfer window, he brought in four new midfielders – Alexis McAllister, Dominic Soboslay, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenbirch – who have made a big difference this season.
Instead, he managed to bring in three midfielders and a right-back, allowing Alexander-Arnold to spend more time in the center of the park, but as his actions and decisions in the transfer window might suggest, he didn’t- a. that. opportunity.
I understand his intentions. Usually, the local prodigy can continue to collaborate in different areas of the stadium depending on the current match scenario. Sometimes he plays on the right, sometimes he plays up front, sometimes a deeper position, but he is always influential.
