Liverpool fans have made clear their thoughts on the long-running debate about Trent Alexander-Arnold's position.
It has been a big topic of conversation since Alexander-Arnold burst onto the scene in the Premier League. His ability to go forward and play defence-splitting passes and pinpoint crosses has never been in question.
He racked up 13 assists in the league in Liverpool’s title-winning season, second only to Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, and had nearly 80 more crosses than anybody else.
His defensive attributes, however, have come under scrutiny. Former right-back Gary Neville has labelled Alexander-Arnold a “liability” in the past and has criticised his defending as “schoolboy defending”. Roy Keane has been equally as scathing and has said the right-back has not improved at all defensively.
Reds supporters have now voted in their numbers - to the tune of 3,419 in a special ECHO poll - on how the the Liverpool-born player's best position is resolved according to them. A total of 78% of fans thought Alexander-Arnold plays best in the midfield, while 13% felt that his best position is as a right-back.
GET INVOLVED: Should Klopp remodel Liverpool's midfield with Trent at the heart?
Neville though has lauded his attacking prowess and described his forward play as “sensational”. Despite this, he believes it’s too late for the defender to be a world-class midfielder and has suggested a move to wing-back could be an option. This comes after Jurgen Klopp’s experiment with Alexander-Arnold ever since the comeback draw against Arsenal two weeks ago.
Klopp deployed Alexander-Arnold as an inverted full-back against the league leaders in front of a back three of Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson. This system has been used effectively by both Manchester City and Arsenal this season. Klopp said after that game: “We did that before, where we put Trent inside. Today in the build-up, Trent played more inside. Double six, that’s how it is.
“We need to get used to it, obviously. I would say it is a big step to do that in a game against Arsenal. I thought he did well. It was not the first time, but not for a while we executed it.”
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes the shift to midfield should be a permanent move for the right-back to get the most out of him. Alexander-Arnold played again as part of a 'double six' in their 6-1 demolition of Leeds and Carragher believes the position is “almost perfect” for him - and has said only Manchester City maestro Kevin De Bruyne can play defence-splitting passes better.
Current Liverpool midfielder Fabinho praised his teammate's versatility. He said: “Trent is somebody [who is] really good on the ball, with his quality of pass and finding players in behind. We can really use this. In this position, of course he will have less time to think but I think he’s a little bit used to being in this position.
"Even when he played right-back, he likes to drop a little bit and go to the middle. We can really use his quality of pass. In the last game, he gave two assists and was really good – not just with his passing but his reaction was good as well.”
Despite the praise for his abilities in the middle of the park, former Liverpool player Graeme Souness believes Alexander-Arnold should remain as a right-back as he’s better coming onto the ball rather than playing in a congested midfield area. It remains to be seen where Klopp sees the future of Alexander-Arnold.
Liverpool’s midfield is ageing and has been hit with injury issues this season. The Reds have pulled out of the race for Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham and while fans have shown their desire for the club to sign World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, Klopp may be open to a more permanent switch to midfield for Liverpool’s academy graduate.
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