Trent Alexander-Arnold: A Versatile Talent in Transition
Trent Alexander-Arnold has become synonymous with Liverpool FC since his debut in 2016. With 310 appearances under his belt, he has been instrumental in shaping the team's dynamics over the past eight years. As Liverpool prepares for the 2024-25 campaign, the 25-year-old right-back is once again in the limelight, not just for his performances but also for the tactical evolution he's undergoing.
Alexander-Arnold's journey has been remarkable. Originally groomed as a right-back, he has consistently showcased his versatile skill set, pivoting between defensive duties and attacking contributions with remarkable ease. His evolution has seen him take on new roles, including playing in midfield for England in six of his last seven starts.
Tim Jenkins, a former analyst and assistant coach for Liverpool Under-21s, recalls the early days of Alexander-Arnold's development. "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." This early exposure to various positions on the field undoubtedly helped shape his adaptable playing style.
Jenkins further elaborates on Alexander-Arnold's growth, noting, "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. And before the Under-16s, he'd played as a centre-half and a full-back for Michael Beale in the Under-15s age group."
By January 2017, Alexander-Arnold had made his first Premier League start in a high-stakes 1-1 draw with Manchester United, a match that set the tone for his burgeoning career. His knack for creating opportunities became evident during the 2018-19 season, where he registered the third-highest tally of assists in the Premier League with 12 assists. The following season, he outdid himself with 13 assists, trailing only behind Kevin de Bruyne.
His ability to deliver consistently high performances hasn’t waned. In the 2021-22 campaign, Alexander-Arnold racked up 12 assists, second only to Mohamed Salah. Last season, he continued to excel, ranking in the 99th percentile for shot-creating actions per 90 minutes among full-backs in Europe's top five divisions. His statistics reflect a player who thrives on making an impact: he was in the 99th percentile for expected assisted goals per 90 (0.37) and passes attempted (87.71), and in the 98th percentile for progressive passes (8.69).
However, his journey has not been without challenges. Alexander-Arnold was notably absent for Liverpool's tour of America, and his current contract is set to expire in the summer, fueling speculation about his future. He has been linked to Real Madrid, a move that if materialized, would mark a significant shift in his career.
Throughout his career, Alexander-Arnold has demonstrated a unique ability to adapt. Tim Jenkins recalls a striking period when Alexander-Arnold returned from pre-season with the first team to play with the Under-21s. "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," Jenkins says. It wasn’t long after that he made his debut for Liverpool's first team in the League Cup, a moment that Jenkins describes as a culmination of a season-long buildup.
Jason McAteer, a former Liverpool player, provides insights into how the game has evolved, particularly the role of 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," McAteer explains. He acknowledges Alexander-Arnold’s multitude of attributes, stating, "You look at Trent now and he's grown up, he's evolved."
McAteer's reflections on his own career provide a parallel to Alexander-Arnold’s versatile journey. "I started as a right-back and progressed into playing on the right wing. When Bruce Rioch came to Bolton, I evolved into a centre-midfielder," he recalls. This evolution required a complex understanding of different positions, something Alexander-Arnold has managed to navigate with notable success.
Even with his success, there have been moments of vulnerability. McAteer believes that "in the modern game you need to be protected," pointing out that Alexander-Arnold's defending has often been criticized. "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 the challenges, the consensus among those who have watched his career closely is that Alexander-Arnold is best suited to a hybrid role. Tim Jenkins emphasizes, "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." Klopp, too, seems to share this flexible approach, as Jenkins notes, "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." This pragmatic view underscores the importance of leveraging Alexander-Arnold’s strengths to maximize his impact on the field.
As Liverpool and possibly even Real Madrid look to integrate him into their future plans, one thing is clear: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s journey is a testament to adaptability and evolving talent. His ability to seamlessly transition across roles underscores his value as an indispensable asset in any team's strategic playbook.