Curtis Jones shares what he’s told Trent Alexander-Arnold about playing in midfield

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Curtis Jones says he’s been telling Trent Alexander-Arnold all about the difficulty of playing passes from midfield.

Over the last two games, Jurgen Klopp has visibly changed Alexander-Arnold’s role – moving the right-back to a central position when Liverpool are in posession.

Against Leeds United last night, the rewards of doing so were clear for all to see. Two assists and an incredibly influential display from one of the Reds most talented players.

Asked about Trent’s performance by LFCTV after the game, Jones suggested that his teammate had made the switch in position look so much easier than it is.

“We all know about Trent, he’ll pick up the ball and when he’s got space he’ll pick out a pass,” gushed the 22-year-old. “I’ve been telling Trent saying ‘centre-mid isn’t the same, you’ve kind of got to twist you’ve got to turn’ but somehow he still finds his space, that’s him. He picks up the ball and he sees things that not many around the world see. So, fair play to him and I hope it continues.

“If you give him time on the ball he’ll do it. But the only thing I was saying was ‘every time I run you don’t pass it!’ He was laughing and stuff.”

Trent hands Liverpool summer dilemma

To some, Klopp trying Alexander-Arnold out in a new position is not before time. There have been calls pretty much since the 24-year-old broke into the first team to give him a run in midfield.

Up until now, the manager has always resisted. But with Trent becoming something of a liability defensively this season, the time has come to try something new.

Of course, it’s still very early days in that regard. Nevertheless, the signs so far are hugely encouraging. Having registered just two Premier League assists before last Sunday’s draw with Arsenal, Alexander-Arnold now has three in two games. Able to get on the ball and dictate play more than ever before, Klopp has unleashed a secret weapon.

It remains to be seen how or if this little shift will affect Liverpool’s transfer plans this summer. Is Jurgen planning to make this a permanent change, or is he simply trying to plug what’s become a glaring hole for what’s left of this season?

If it is a permanent thing, then it’ll be interesting to see if Trent moves more into a full-time midfield role. Right now, he’s operating in a Pep Guardiola style inverted full-back. But really, what would be the harm in keeping him in midfield and bringing in a top right-back?

Alexander-Arnold has the skillset to do it and less defensive responsibility could truly serve to unleash him. Obviously, that would change Liverpool’s summer plans quite drastically. Having pined for a new midfield all season, maybe the answer really was right under their noses all along. And a word on Curtis who was brilliant last night, too.