Since making his debut for Liverpool in 2016, Trent Alexander-Arnold has made a resounding impact on the club. As a 25-year-old stalwart, he's gearing up for Liverpool's 2024-25 campaign, having already made 310 appearances. Known primarily for his role as a right-back, Alexander-Arnold's versatility has seen him deployed in various positions, showcasing his multifaceted talent.
One of the most significant shifts in Alexander-Arnold's career has been his transition to midfield for England, where he's played in that position in six of his last seven starts. This move is not entirely new for him. Tim Jenkins, a former analyst and assistant coach for Liverpool Under-21s, recalls, "He'd played in midfield in Pep Lijnders' Under-16s, at the base of the diamond," indicating his long-standing adaptability. Jenkins also noted, "He was right in the middle of the pitch and involved in everything."
Throughout his career, Alexander-Arnold has evolved significantly. In the Under-18s, Neil Critchley helped him utilize his physical attributes, transitioning him into roles as a right winger and right full-back. Jenkins added, "Before the Under-16s, he'd played as a centre-half and a full-back for Michael Beale in the Under-15s age group.” These early experiences laid the foundation for the player he is today.
Alexander-Arnold’s journey to the Liverpool first team was marked by notable performances. Jenkins remembers a pivotal moment: "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." Such displays exemplified his burgeoning talent, eventually leading to his first Premier League start in January 2017 against Manchester United, a game that ended in a 1-1 draw.
His ability to create goals has been a standout feature. In the 2018-19 season, Alexander-Arnold registered 12 assists in the Premier League, the third-highest for the season. The following season, he improved this tally to 13, second only to Kevin de Bruyne. His creative influence continued into the 2021-22 campaign with another 12 assists, bettered only by Mohamed Salah.
Last season, Alexander-Arnold’s statistics were nothing short of remarkable. He averaged 5.25 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes in the Premier League and Europa League, ranking in the 99th percentile among full-backs in Europe’s top five divisions. His expected assisted goals per 90 (0.37) and passes attempted (87.71) also placed him in the 99th percentile. Additionally, he ranked in the 98th percentile for progressive passes (8.69), demonstrating his adeptness at advancing play.
His passing range is equally impressive. Alexander-Arnold ranked eighth among Premier League outfielders for total successful long passes (147) and third for switches of play (32). Such numbers underscore his importance as a playmaker from the back.
Despite his attacking prowess, Alexander-Arnold has faced challenges. Jason McAteer, a former Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers player, highlighted the evolution of the full-back role, stating, "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." He noted that while "Trent has got that many attributes that you've got to get him into the team," his defensive abilities have sometimes been scrutinized.
McAteer remarked, "His qualities are there to be seen, but you can be exposed. Time and space are your best mates in football. If you're not given that by the player alongside you, defending and taking players away, you're not going to flourish." He added, "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."
Yet, there is consensus on Alexander-Arnold's best role. "I think that hybrid full-back role is still his best position, where he can roll into the inside of the pitch," Jenkins observed. "He can be a full-back when you haven't got the ball and a midfielder when you have." Klopp's flexibility in using Alexander-Arnold's unique skill set is summarized aptly by Jenkins: "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."
As Liverpool prepares for the 2024-25 season, Alexander-Arnold's role, whether at the back or in the midfield, will be critical. His versatility, vision, and ability to adapt ensure he remains an indispensable asset for both his club and country.