Trent Alexander-Arnold: A Versatile Talent Navigating Transition
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a cornerstone of Liverpool FC since his debut in 2016, accumulating 310 appearances for the club by the age of 25. As he prepares for Liverpool's 2024-25 campaign, Alexander-Arnold stands out not only for his loyalty to the club but also for his evolving role on the pitch.
Starting primarily as a right-back, Trent's journey has seen him adapt to various positions, reflecting his versatility. This shift from a traditional positional play to a more hybrid role has been a significant evolution in his career, underscored by his recent performances for England, where he played in midfield in six of his last seven starts.
Tim Jenkins, a former analyst and assistant coach for Liverpool Under-21s, sheds light on Trent's adaptability from an early age. "He'd played in midfield in Pep Lijnders' Under-16s, at the base of the diamond," Jenkins recalls. "He was right in the middle of the pitch and involved in everything." This early exposure to different positions has undoubtedly contributed to his ability to take on multiple roles with ease.
Trent's development continued under the guidance of different coaches. "When he went into the Under-18s with Neil Critchley, they started to help him use his physical attributes a bit, so he played on the outside as a right winger or a right full-back," Jenkins adds. Before that, he even had stints as a centre-half and a full-back for Michael Beale's Under-15s age group. Such flexibility laid the groundwork for his current role in one of Europe's top footballing sides.
A pivotal moment in Alexander-Arnold's career came in January 2017 when he made his first Premier League start in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United. Since then, his attacking prowess from the back has become a hallmark of his game. In the 2018-19 season, he registered 12 assists, the third-highest in the Premier League. The following season, he improved his tally to 13, second only to Kevin de Bruyne, solidifying his position as one of the top playmakers in the league.
Last season, he was once again at the forefront of creativity, ranking in the 99th percentile for shot-creating actions per 90 minutes in the Premier League and Europa League. His eye for a pass saw him rank similarly high for expected assisted goals and passes attempted.
However, not all has been smooth for the Liverpool star. His recent absence from Liverpool's tour of America raised eyebrows, and with his contract expiring in the summer, speculation about a move to Real Madrid abounds. Yet, his commitment on the pitch remains unwavering. He started the final pre-season friendly against Sevilla at right-back, hinting at no immediate departure.
Jason McAteer, a former Liverpool player, shared insights on the modern game's demands on full-backs. "Today's full-back is a lot more like a wing-back. You've got to get forward. You've got to get balls into the box. And you have this hybrid role where you come into midfield," he says. "Trent has got that many attributes that you've got to get him into the team. You look at Trent now and he's grown up, he's evolved."
This evolution is key to understanding Trent's current role. His off-the-ball movement and defensive capabilities have faced criticism at times. "Trent's weakest attribute is his defending, and he was playing as a deep-lying midfielder. He was great on the ball, but without it he was exposed and he became a bit of a scapegoat," McAteer observes. Yet, Tim Jenkins believes the hybrid full-back role is ideal for him. "He can be a full-back when you haven't got the ball and a midfielder when you have," Jenkins remarks.
Looking back, Jenkins notes how Trent's assist contributions have evolved. "If you look at the assists from earlier in his career, they came from wide. More recently, he's been able to move inside into the half-space and deliver from there." This shift highlights his ability to adapt and thrive amid the game's changing dynamics.
As Liverpool gears up for the upcoming season, Alexander-Arnold's role will undoubtedly be pivotal. Whether he stays at Anfield or seeks new pastures, his journey epitomizes the modern footballer—a blend of positional fluidity, technical prowess, and an ever-expanding skill set. Under Jurgen Klopp's watchful eye, wherever Trent is on the pitch, he's bound to make a significant impact. As Jenkins succinctly puts it, "Wherever he is, he’s just going to be Trent."