Trent Alexander-Arnold ‘outstanding’ after Liverpool role change

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s positional shift has been to key Liverpool’s recent upturn in form, captain Jordan Henderson has admitted.

Alexander-Arnold has long been known for his outstanding delivery and range of passing, and has played as a traditional full-back who pushes on down the flank to allow Mohamed Salah to drift inside and provide a real goal threat.

The 24-year-old’s ability going forward has never been questioned, but time and again his defensive position has been found wanting. Coupled with Liverpool’s midfield fragility, Jurgen Klopp’s side have dipped well below the levels of performance expected from them and will likely have to settle for a place in the Europa League next year.

John Stones and Oleksandr Zinchenko’s roles at Manchester City and Arsenal respectively have seen them drift inside as inverted full-backs when in possession, and that model is now something Klopp has looked to adopt with Alexander-Arnold in a bid to resurrect a winning formula for Liverpool.

The results have been immediate, with Alexander-Arnold contributing five assists in his last four Premier League games. Not only is he more involved in the build-up play and able to express his creativity in more meaningful areas, the academy graduate is another body in midfield to prevent Liverpool being exploited on the counter – something Henderson admits has been game-changing.

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“I think that’s helped us, it’s definitely given us something a little bit different,” the Liverpool skipper said. “We can build confidence within games. It’s been a bit easier to play through the middle, to get on the ball and create more. I think Trent has been outstanding in that position.

“It’s something new for him and I think it’s like a new stimulus for him. He is learning it all the time and it’s a different position than before.

“He has been really good there, getting on the ball in dangerous areas and getting further infield. He can hurt teams and that’s helped us over the last few games, especially in terms of winning the ball back in the middle.

“I know everyone talks about Trent with the ball, which is great, but he also gives us an extra man in the middle when we lose the ball with the counter-press. That’s been something that we have been much better at in the last few weeks.”

Liverpool have won their last three Premier League games, but remain seven points behind Manchester United in fourth after picking up maximum points in less than half of their 32 outings. A more realistic target is finishing fifth in the table, ahead of Tottenham and Aston Villa who the Reds trail by a point with a game in hand.

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