Trent Alexander-Arnold has identified the five players who are helping him become a better midfielder and believes he is proving that midfield is where he can see his Liverpool future. Alexander-Arnold has flourished since switching to an inverted right-back position with the Reds over the past six months, which has allowed him to play in the center of the field.
However, England manager Gareth Southgate views the 25-year-old as a fully-fledged midfielder and used him in that position in Friday’s 1-0 friendly victory over Australia at Wembley. And Alexander-Arnold, who will now try to hold onto this spot for the Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy on Tuesday, thinks more exposure and experience in the position are helping to persuade that it could be his best role in the long run. People might be noticing that I’m more productive in the middle of the pitch, he said. “That might be the best course of action moving forward. It’s not my decision, so who knows. I can only play when I am in the position that is instructed. However, based on the discussions I’ve had, especially with the manager here (at England), playing centrally in the middle of the pitch is something we want to consider moving forward. I find that to be really exciting, and I believe it will bring out my best performance in the (England) setup. For me, this is the most exciting time to be in England. “.
Alexander-Arnold views the change in his position made by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp toward the end of the previous campaign as a pivotal point in his “evolution” as a player. He said, “When the manager showed me the inverted role, I saw it as an opportunity to show I can play in the middle of the pitch. You might get one game, but if it fails, you’ll spend the rest of your career playing right-back. Nothing is wrong with that. However, I thought that playing in the middle of the field would give me the chance to demonstrate my other skills to the crowd. Although this added another layer to my game, I thought I could rule and control from right-back. I was looking for a way to evolve. a progression for me. “However, I’m not really sure of my best position. The configuration will determine.
As a full-back for Liverpool, I have had the freedom to move freely into central areas, to create from the right-half space, to move down the touchline and put crosses in, to create chances, and to notch assists over the past five or six years. “The England setup differs from what the manager expects of full-backs. While there are two distinct positions on the field, technically speaking, I believe both systems allow me to enter the same positions. For a player like me, possession of the ball and the ability to control the game’s tempo are paramount. Not really whether I’m a midfielder or a full-back. I’m a player who needs to be alert and wants to control the entire game. “. In an effort to further his understanding of the position of midfield, Alexander-Arnold has admitted to taking notes and posing questions to teammates and opponents. He has cited as sources of inspiration former Liverpool teammate Jordan Henderson, English teammates Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and John Stones, as well as Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne.
