Since making his debut for Liverpool in 2016, Trent Alexander-Arnold has established himself as a key player with 310 appearances to his name. Aged just 25, he is already gearing up for Liverpool's 2024-25 campaign. The versatile player has primarily been seen as a right-back at Anfield but has recently been showcasing his skills in midfield for England, having played in that role in six of his last seven starts for the national team.
The narrative of Alexander-Arnold's career is fascinating, shaped by adaptability and growing influence. His journey began under the watchful eyes of Michael Beale during his time in Liverpool's Under-15s, where he played as a centre-half and full-back. Tim Jenkins, a former analyst and assistant coach for Liverpool Under-21s, recollects, "He'd played in midfield in Pep Lijnders' Under-16s, at the base of the diamond. He was right in the middle of the pitch and involved in everything."
Jenkins’ insights provide a behind-the-scenes look at Alexander-Arnold's development. "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." This multi-positional experience has undoubtedly contributed to his versatility on the pitch today.
Alexander-Arnold's break into the first team was marked by standout performances in the Under-21s. Jenkins vividly recalls, "We played one game against Leicester at home and Jurgen [Klopp] came to watch. We were 4-0 up before half-time and he'd created everything from the right. He looked like he'd gone up three or four levels." Such performances were amplified in subsequent matches, leading to his debut for Liverpool in the League Cup.
Evolving Role at Liverpool
Over the years, Alexander-Arnold has evolved from a promising academy graduate into one of the Premier League's most creative forces. In the 2018-19 season, he registered 12 assists, the third-highest in the league, followed by 13 assists in the next season, second only to Kevin De Bruyne. His ability to impact the game offensively continued, with his tally of 12 assists in the 2021-22 campaign bettered only by Mohamed Salah.
Recent statistics underscore his creative prowess. Last season, Alexander-Arnold's average of 5.25 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes in the Premier League and Europa League ranked in the 99th percentile among full-backs in Europe’s top five divisions. Additionally, he ranked eighth among outfielders in the Premier League for total successful long passes (147) and third for switches of play (32).
The Hybrid Role Debate
There’s an ongoing discussion about the best position for Alexander-Arnold. Tim Jenkins suggests a fluid role suits him best: "I think that hybrid full-back role is still his best position, where he can roll into the inside of the pitch. He can be a full-back when you haven’t got the ball and a midfielder when you have." Jenkins notes Klopp’s approach, saying that the manager would place Alexander-Arnold sometimes on the outside, and other times on the inside: "wherever he is, he’s just going to be Trent."
Jason McAteer, a former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland player, shares a similar sentiment about modern full-backs, describing them as wing-backs who need to advance forward and deliver balls into the box. "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," McAteer remarks.
However, McAteer also highlights some of the challenges Alexander-Arnold has faced, particularly while playing for England. "I think with England he was hung out to dry a bit," he says. Noting the increased defensive responsibility when playing as a deep-lying midfielder, McAteer explains, "His qualities are there to be seen, but you can be exposed. Trent's weakest attribute is his defending, and he was great on the ball, but without it, he was exposed and he became a bit of a scapegoat."
Looking Forward
As Alexander-Arnold's contract with Liverpool edges towards its expiry in the summer, speculation about his future intensifies, with Real Madrid reportedly showing interest. Regardless of where he plays next, his versatility and evolution will remain hallmarks of his career. Just as his early coaches recognized, he has adapted his strengths to suit various roles, demonstrating a blend of technical prowess and tactical intelligence that makes him invaluable to any team.
The game may have evolved, but so has Trent Alexander-Arnold, and his story is far from over.