Liverpool’s resurgence from last season can be attributed to many things. From four new faces arriving at the club to Jurgen Klopp no longer having to contend with injuries.
But above all, one tiny little tweak in the system could have been the key to turning everything around.
Liverpool’s resurgence truly began towards the end of last season when the Liverpool boss decided to trial Trent Alexander-Arnold in a more inverted role. Alexander-Arnold would drop into midfield when Liverpool had possession of the ball and full utilise his ability to conjure up chances for his teammates.
This tweak in formation has brought out the best in Alexander-Arnold – and he’s thrived this season. with seven goal contributions in his last nine games.
Alan Shearer praise for Trent Alexander-Arnold
Speaking on the Rest is Football Podcast, Alan Shearer singled out Alexander-Arnold for special praise and said the Liverpool full-back has now fully transitioned into a midfielder.
“I don’t think he is a great defender, Trent, but in terms of what he does for Liverpool – his range of passing, his crossing, it’s just out of this world. I would class him more as a midfielder now than a defender,” Shearer said.
Shearer is not wrong. Alexander-Arnold has definitely been playing more as a midfielder recently, meanwhile for England he’s mostly been used in the middle of the park by Gareth Southgate as well.
However, if Liverpool do intend to use Alexander-Arnold as more of a midfielder in the long-term, it would surely mean the club would sign a more ‘traditional’ right-back sometime in the considerable future.
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