Trent Alexander-Arnold’s evolution as a footballer has been nothing short of remarkable. Since making his debut for Liverpool in 2016, the 25-year-old has amassed 310 appearances for the club. His journey has seen him face numerous challenges, adapt to evolving roles, and showcase a skill set that has firmly established him as one of the key players for both Liverpool and England.
Having spent the majority of his career at right-back, Alexander-Arnold is now preparing for Liverpool's 2024-25 campaign. During his tenure, he has experienced great success, including a notable performance in the 2018-19 Premier League season when he registered 12 assists, the third-highest tally in the league. The following season, he outdid himself with 13 assists, only second to Kevin de Bruyne. His 2021-22 campaign saw him tally another 12 assists, surpassed only by Mohamed Salah.
A Dynamic Playmaker
The story of Alexander-Arnold’s development is not merely about his statistics, but also his versatility on the pitch. Recently, he has been deployed in midfield by England, featuring in this role for six of his last seven starts. His adaptability is evident from early on in his career. 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. He was right in the middle of the pitch and involved in everything."
Before the Under-16s, Alexander-Arnold had experience playing as a centre-half and full-back for Michael Beale in the Under-15s. His physical and technical attributes have always been evident. "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," Jenkins added.
From Right-back to Midfield Maestro
While Alexander-Arnold has cemented his place as a right-back, his ability to switch to midfield showcases the modern expectations of full-backs. Former Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, and Republic of Ireland player Jason McAteer explains, "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."
This hybrid role is something that Alexander-Arnold has embraced. His tactical acumen allows him to thrive in multiple positions on the pitch. "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," said McAteer.
With Liverpool’s tendency to shift between 4-3-3 and 4-2-1-3 formations under different tactical setups, Alexander-Arnold becomes a pivotal figure capable of influencing the game from various zones on the pitch.
Challenges and Triumphs
Not every transition has been smooth. His foray into midfield did expose some weaknesses. "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," McAteer observed.
The narrative, however, is not limited to challenges. His shot-creating actions last season ranked him in the 99th percentile among full-backs in Europe’s top five divisions. Furthermore, he was in the 99th percentile for expected assisted goals per 90 minutes (0.37) and passes attempted (87.71), while also ranking in the 98th percentile for progressive passes (8.69).
Jenkins sees a bright future ahead, highlighting Alexander-Arnold’s seamless adaptability: "More recently, he's been able to move inside into the half-space and deliver from there. Trent has had an ideal skillset to adapt to how the game has changed."
Uncertain Future
As Liverpool gear up for the new season, Alexander-Arnold’s role might see further evolution. His current contract expires in the summer, and there have been links to Real Madrid, stirring speculation about his future. Nevertheless, his contributions remain invaluable, highlighted by his participation in key pre-season friendlies, including starting as a right-back against Sevilla.
Klopp’s approach often involves fluid positioning, which suits Alexander-Arnold’s game. "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," Jenkins pointed out.
In the modern game, where responsibilities are constantly shifting, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s journey illustrates the quintessential adaptation of a footballer who can transcend traditional positional boundaries, continually offering his best no matter where he plays.