25-year-old Liverpool player suggests Jurgen Klopp keeps playing him in the wrong position

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Jurgen Klopp has had to mix things up a fair bit for Liverpool this season.

Despite the arrival of several new midfielders in the summer, Klopp has had to juggle his squad between Premier League and cup games all while contending with a number of pesky injuries.

Thiago Alcantara hasn’t played at all this season, while Stefan Bajcetic, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch have all suffered with fitness issues.

As a result, the manager recently suggested that Trent Alexander-Arnold might get a run in the Liverpool midfield. But as of yet that has not happened. Now, speaking to The Times during the international break, Alexander-Arnold has suggested that he really does want that chance.

“My specific skill set and what I’m best at is someone who plays in the middle, someone who controls the game, controls the tempo, creates, breaks line, progresses the ball up the pitch,” says the 25-year-old.

“You probably get more out of me from being in the middle and I’m able to show off that skill set as much as possible. My role is to go and create and make things happen, control the game in the middle of the pitch, get the ball on to the attackers, play forward, run forward, goals, assists, create chances, get people off their seats.”

Trent outlines midfield ambition

You can imagine Jurgen won’t be thrilled to see these quotes from his right-back. And in fairness, it isn’t especially helpful.

It’s clear that Trent really does enjoy playing in the middle of the pitch. You could see the joy return to his game last season when asked to play a new, inverted role for example.

But right now, Liverpool really need him at right-back.

Despite injury and rotational issues, Klopp has enough options in midfield right now. The one position he could do with filling is the defensive midfielder, but Alexander-Arnold isn’t the answer to that.

With new additions Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister having an average age of less than 23, it isn’t like a spot will open up anytime soon, either.

Mix in 19-year-old Bajcetic and 22-year-old Jones and it’s hard to see when Trent’s time will come.

The only worry with this is that Alexander-Arnold’s contract is currently due to end in 2025. If he really does want to play permanently in midfield, and Liverpool won’t give that to him, who’s to say he won’t decide to look elsewhere.

There’s no question that the Scouser wants to remain with his boyhood club. But the Reds can’t take that for granted. Something’s got to give.