Trent Alexander-Arnold: Liverpool's Dynamic Star
Since making his debut in 2016, Trent Alexander-Arnold has become an indispensable asset for Liverpool, accumulating an impressive 310 appearances. As he steps into the 2024-25 campaign, the now 25-year-old player is again at the forefront of discussions in English football, not least because of his evolving role and the ongoing speculation regarding his future.
Initially making his mark as a right-back, Alexander-Arnold’s versatility has seen him deployed in a variety of positions. Most notably, he has played in midfield for England in six of his last seven starts. This shift in position is not entirely new for him, as Tim Jenkins, a former analyst and assistant coach for Liverpool Under-21s, recalls Alexander-Arnold's developmental years. "He'd played in midfield in Pep Lijnders' Under-16s, at the base of the diamond," Jenkins explained. "He was right in the middle of the pitch and involved in everything."
Despite this versatility, Alexander-Arnold has predominantly served as a right-back at Liverpool, a role that has allowed him to leverage his unique set of skills to redefine the modern full-back position. "Today's full-back is a lot more like a wing-back," observed Jason McAteer, a former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland player. "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."
Last season, Alexander-Arnold's statistics underscored his dual capabilities. 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. Additionally, he was in the 99th percentile for expected assisted goals per 90 minutes (0.37) and passes attempted (87.71), and the 98th percentile for progressive passes (8.69). The numbers speak volumes about his offensive contributions from the back, serving as a testament to his vision and precision.
His adaptability has sparked discussions about his best position on the field. McAteer notes, "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." Jenkins shares a similar sentiment: "If you see footage of him playing when he was little, he was basically the same player. You'd see all the driving runs, the physical attributes, his ball-striking and his passing over distance. He's just adapted his strengths into whatever position he plays."
However, Alexander-Arnold's defensive capabilities have periodically come under scrutiny, particularly when he's played in midfield for England. "His qualities are there to be seen, but you can be exposed," McAteer pointed out. "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."
Alexander-Arnold’s contract, set to expire in the summer, has added a layer of uncertainty to his future at Liverpool. Speculation is rife about a potential move to Real Madrid, a proposition that has piqued the interest of fans and pundits alike. Yet, his most recent appearances suggest he remains crucial to Liverpool’s plans, having started the final pre-season friendly against Sevilla at right-back.
Looking back, it's clear that Alexander-Arnold's journey has been meticulously laid out. From starting as a centre-half and full-back for Michael Beale in the Under-15s age group to making his first Premier League start in January 2017 against Manchester United, his growth has been both steady and spectacular. In the 2018-19 season, he registered the third-highest tally of assists in the Premier League with 12, followed by 13 assists the next season, second only to Kevin de Bruyne.
Jenkins reminisced about a pivotal moment in Alexander-Arnold's trajectory: "I remember he had a real purple patch after he'd done pre-season with the first team then came back to play with the Under-21s. 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."
As Alexander-Arnold continues to prepare for the upcoming season, his journey illustrates the adaptability and resilience required to excel at the highest levels of football. Whether he remains at Liverpool or seeks new challenges abroad, his influence on the field remains unassailable, a testament to his evolving brilliance and enduring impact on the modern game.