Trent Alexander-Arnold: The Evolution of Liverpool's Versatile Virtuoso
Trent Alexander-Arnold's journey through the Reds' ranks has been nothing short of meteoric. Since his debut in 2016, the Liverpool native has made an impressive 310 appearances, displaying an unwavering dedication to the club he calls home. At 25, Alexander-Arnold is gearing up for Liverpool's 2024-25 campaign, having firmly established himself as a stalwart in Jurgen Klopp’s side.
A Shifting Role
Traditionally known as a right-back, Alexander-Arnold has repeatedly demonstrated his versatility. In recent times, he has transitioned smoothly into a midfield role for England, featuring in that position in six of his last seven starts. “He'd played in midfield in Pep Lijnders' Under-16s, at the base of the diamond," recalled Tim Jenkins, a former analyst and assistant coach for Liverpool Under-21s. "He was right in the middle of the pitch and involved in everything."
Jenkins continued, “More recently, he's been able to move inside into the half-space and deliver from there. Trent has had an ideal skillset to adapt to how the game has changed.” This adaptability is a testament to Alexander-Arnold’s football intelligence and is highlighted by his impressive stats from last season. Ranking in the 99th percentile among full-backs in Europe's top five divisions for shot-creating actions, expected assisted goals per 90, and passes attempted, his influence on the game is undeniable.
From Youth to Professional Stardom
Alexander-Arnold's career began well before the Anfield roars. "Before the Under-16s, he'd played as a centre-half and a full-back for Michael Beale in the Under-15s age group," Jenkins noted. Even back then, his immense potential shone through. By January 2017, the young talent made his first Premier League start in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, marking the beginning of a series of remarkable performances.
During the 2018-19 season, his 12 assists were the third-highest in the Premier League, only to surpass this with 13 assists the following season, second only to Kevin de Bruyne. In the 2021-22 campaign, he recorded 12 assists, outdone once again only by Mohamed Salah. Such statistics not only emphasize his creativity but also his consistency at the highest level.
Adapting to Modern Football
The role of the full-back has evolved dramatically over recent years, something that former Liverpool player Jason McAteer attested to. “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,” McAteer explained. “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 was particularly evident in Klopp's tactics, which often saw Alexander-Arnold slot into midfield during games. "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," Jenkins shared, underscoring the manager's trust in his player's ability to impact the game from various positions.
The Road Ahead
Despite missing Liverpool's tour of America, Alexander-Arnold showed no signs of rust, starting the final pre-season friendly against Sevilla at right-back. However, his future remains a topic of speculation, with his contract set to expire in the summer and links to Real Madrid creating a buzz among fans and pundits alike.
Yet, regardless of where he plays his football next season, one thing is for certain: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s unique blend of skill, vision, and adaptability will continue to define his illustrious career. As Tim Jenkins insightfully put it, “Trent has had an ideal skillset to adapt to how the game has changed." And it is this ability to evolve that will keep him at the forefront of football for years to come.