Trent Alexander-Arnold: The Changing Role of Liverpool's Maestro
Since his debut in 2016, Trent Alexander-Arnold has remarkably become a cornerstone for Liverpool, making 310 appearances and building a reputation as one of the Premier League's most innovative full-backs. However, Alexander-Arnold's role on the pitch has evolved, reflecting the broader shifts within modern football's tactical landscapes.
Despite traditionally being deployed as a right-back, Alexander-Arnold's versatility has allowed him to transition into various positions – a fact underscored by his recent performances for England, where he has been deployed in midfield in six of his last seven starts. This positional flexibility harkens back to his formative years. Tim Jenkins, a former assistant coach for Liverpool Under-21s, recalls, "He'd played in midfield in Pep Lijnders' Under-16s, at the base of the diamond."
Jenkins further highlighted the dynamic capabilities Alexander-Arnold exhibited early on, saying, "He was right in the middle of the pitch and involved in everything." Such adaptability has made him an invaluable asset, especially within Jurgen Klopp’s evolving tactical framework. Jenkins adds that from the Under-18s onwards, Trent began exploiting his physical attributes, playing as a right winger or right full-back, roles that would define the initial phase of his professional career.
Alexander-Arnold's transition to the first team was a testament to his undeniable talent. Jenkins reminisced about a remarkable pre-season patch with the Under-21s where Trent's performances were nothing short of stellar. "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." He added, "A week later, we played Tottenham away and it was the same again. He was head and shoulders the best player on the pitch."
His subsequent promotion to the Liverpool first team saw Alexander-Arnold embark on a journey filled with significant milestones. His first Premier League start in January 2017 ended in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, setting the stage for a career that would be defined by both defensive solidity and offensive ingenuity. In the 2018-19 season, he registered the third-highest tally of assists in the Premier League with 12, followed by an astounding 13 assists the next season, exceeded only by Kevin de Bruyne. Even recently, his 12 assists in the 2021-22 campaign were second only to Mohamed Salah.
Alexander-Arnold's offensive contributions have not waned. Last season, his average of 5.25 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes in the Premier League and Europa League ranked him in the 99th percentile among full-backs in Europe’s top five divisions. He also ranked in the 99th percentile for expected assisted goals per 90 (0.37) and passes attempted (87.71).
Jason McAteer, a former player for Liverpool, encapsulates the changing role of full-backs in modern football perfectly, "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." He stresses the hybrid nature of such roles, noting, "You've got this hybrid role where you come into midfield." McAteer regards Trent's array of attributes highly and emphasizes his evolution: "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."
These shifting responsibilities underline Klopp’s expert management. Jenkins explains, "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."
Despite his offensive prowess, Alexander-Arnold has faced criticism regarding his defensive abilities, something McAteer doesn’t shy away from discussing. "We look at him as this passing genius, great with the ball at his feet and creative. But in the modern game, you need to be protected," he cautions, adding, "His qualities are there to be seen, but you can be exposed. Time and space are your best mates in football."
Trent Alexander-Arnold's journey is thus a testament to his adaptability and talent. As Liverpool prepares for the 2024-25 campaign with him at the helm, and with whispers of interest from Real Madrid circulating, his future remains a point of speculation. But one thing is clear: Alexander-Arnold continues to redefine the role of a full-back in the modern game, integrating traditional defensive duties with the creative nous of a playmaker.