Trent Alexander-Arnold: Liverpool’s Maestro on the Flanks and Midfield
Since making his debut for Liverpool in 2016, Trent Alexander-Arnold has dazzled fans with his versatility and skill, earning rave reviews and setting records. At just 25 years old, he heads into the 2024-25 campaign with 310 appearances under his belt. But Alexander-Arnold’s journey to becoming one of Liverpool’s key players is marked not just by his tenure but by his adaptability on the pitch.
Former Liverpool Under-21s analyst and assistant coach, Tim Jenkins, recalls Alexander-Arnold’s varied roles in the youth teams. "He'd played in midfield in Pep Lijnders' Under-16s, at the base of the diamond," Jenkins reminisces. "He was right in the middle of the pitch and involved in everything." His early stint also saw him as a centre-half and a full-back for the Under-15s team under Michael Beale, showing his flexibility from a young age.
His ability to switch roles has been a crucial element of his development, particularly evident in his recent fluid position between right-back and midfield. "More recently, he's been able to move inside into the half-space and deliver from there. Trent has had an ideal skill set to adapt to how the game has changed," Jenkins notes. Indeed, this adaptability was highlighted when Jason McAteer, a former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland player, remarked, "Trent has got that many attributes that you've got to get him into the team."
Alexander-Arnold’s attacking prowess is undeniable. In the 2018-19 Premier League season, he recorded 12 assists, a feat only surpassed by Kevin de Bruyne the following season when Alexander-Arnold upped his tally to 13. His creative output saw him in the 99th percentile for shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (5.25) and expected assisted goals per 90 (0.37) in the previous season across Europe's top five divisions, illustrating his pivotal offensive role.
This attacking impetus is not without its challenges. As McAteer points out, "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." For Alexander-Arnold, this hybrid role extends his influence beyond traditional boundaries. "If you see footage of him playing when he was little, he was basically the same player. You'd see all the driving runs, the physical attributes, his ball-striking and his passing over distance," Jenkins elaborates, emphasizing how his early strengths have been fine-tuned to meet modern demands.
However, Alexander-Arnold’s defensive capabilities have sometimes been scrutinized. McAteer argues that being placed in a deep-lying midfield position exposed some of his weaknesses. "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."
Despite these critiques, his offensive contributions remain indispensable. Last season, he ranked in the 99th percentile for passes attempted per 90 minutes (87.71) and was third in the Premier League for switches of play (32). His ability to execute long passes effectively, where he ranked eighth among outfielders with 147 successful long passes, further cements his role as a playmaker.
Coming into the new season, Alexander-Arnold faces the potential expiration of his contract in the summer. The looming speculation about a move to Real Madrid adds another layer of intrigue to his career. Yet, irrespective of his future club ties, his impact on Liverpool and English football is already substantial.
As Jenkins insightfully concludes, Alexander-Arnold’s versatility allows him to fit into various tactical setups, particularly under Jurgen Klopp’s dynamic system. "Klopp would say that sometimes Trent will be on the outside, sometimes he'll be on the inside – wherever he is, he’s just going to be Trent."
Alexander-Arnold’s story is one of a player who has continually adapted and thrived, whether stationed on the flanks or making incisive passes from midfield. With his wide-ranging abilities and the potential for more accolades, he remains a crucial figure for Liverpool as they navigate the upcoming season.