12 December 2023 , 11:05
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Trent Alexander-Arnold has admitted that his future probably lies in midfield after being used in a more advanced role for both club and country over the past few months.
The Liverpool vice-captain, 25, broke through at Anfield as a right-back and has still been used primarily in that role by Jurgen Klopp this season, albeit with a license to drift into central areas higher up the pitch. Gareth Southgate, meanwhile, has deployed Alexander-Arnold centrally in European qualifiers after previously advocating for him to play in midfield.
Alexander-Arnold has once again been an influential figure for Liverpool in his new hybrid role and was moved into midfield for the second-half of the 2-1 win against Crystal Palace at the weekend. And he's now implied that he feels his future lies in that area.
Speaking in an interview with The Liverpool Echo, Alexander-Arnold was asked his thoughts on playing as a midfielder, to which he replied: “I think that's probably the path and the route that I'm on. Ultimately, not my decision, but I enjoy playing in the middle of the pitch and just want to help the team win games, to be honest.”
While Alexander-Arnold may be pleased with his new role for club and country, Klopp has previously made no secret of his reluctance to move him from his right-back role.
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Speaking back in September 2021, Klopp said: "If you watch our games, Trent's position already changed when possible. [There is] no need to make him a midfielder now. A shame we talk about this in 2021, good players play everywhere, Trent plays right-wing, everywhere. He can play midfield. More a 6 than 8.
Join the debate! What do you think is Alexander-Arnold's best position? Let us know here.
Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has been used as a No.8 by England manager Gareth Southgate (Channel 4 Sport)"But why would you make the best right-back in the world a midfielder? I struggle to understand how you can think that? Some people think he could be more influential in midfield. How is it possible to be more influential than Trent Alexander-Arnold? We use him as good as we can."
Klopp has significantly softened his stance since then, although Alexander-Arnold has still been deployed primarily as a right-back this season. It hasn't stifled his influence on the team, either.
Alexander-Arnold has registered two goals and five assists in 19 matches this term across all competitions, scoring in back-to-back games against Manchester City and Fulham. He played the full 90 minutes in the 2-1 win against Crystal Palace at the weekend which propelled the Reds to the Premier League summit.