Trent Alexander-Arnold's journey in football has been a captivating tale of consistent evolution and adaptability. Since making his debut for Liverpool in 2016, the 25-year-old has played 310 times for the club, primarily as a right-back. However, his versatility has seen him occupy various roles for both club and country, showcasing a breadth of skills that few players possess.
A Fixture in Liverpool's Line-Up
Trent Alexander-Arnold's significance to Liverpool cannot be overstated. His contract, which expires in the summer, has led to speculations linking him to giants like Real Madrid. Despite these rumors, his focus remains firmly on Liverpool, preparing for the 2024-25 campaign. His absence from Liverpool's tour of America raised questions, but he returned to feature in the final pre-season friendly against Sevilla, resuming his usual position at right-back.
Midfield Maestro for England
While Alexander-Arnold has been a mainstay at right-back for Liverpool, his role for England has been more diverse. In six of his last seven starts for the national team, he has been deployed in midfield. This shift aligns with his early years at Liverpool, where he was involved in various positions.
"He'd played in midfield in Pep Lijnders' Under-16s, at the base of the diamond," recalls Tim Jenkins, a former analyst and assistant coach for Liverpool Under-21s. "He was right in the middle of the pitch and involved in everything."
From Youth to Stardom
Alexander-Arnold's path to professional football began in the youth setup at Liverpool, where he showcased his talent across multiple roles. Tim Jenkins recollects, "Before the Under-16s, he'd played as a centre-half and a full-back for Michael Beale in the Under-15s age group." His versatility was evident early on, setting the stage for his seamless adaptation to various positions as he progressed.
Jenkins adds, "When he went into the Under-18s with Neil Critchley, they started to help him use his physical attributes a bit, so he played on the outside as a right winger or a right full-back."
Rising Through the Ranks
Remarkable performances at the youth level quickly caught the eye of Liverpool's senior team management. "We played one game against Leicester at home... 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," Jenkins fondly remembers.
Alexander-Arnold’s Premier League debut came in January 2017, in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United. His impact was immediate, and his playmaking abilities soon became his hallmark. In the 2018-19 season, he recorded 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.
Statistical Dominance
Recent seasons have seen Alexander-Arnold's statistical impact reach exceptional levels. Last season, 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. Moreover, he ranked in the 99th percentile for expected assisted goals per 90 (0.37) and passes attempted (87.71).
His vision and passing range are underscored by his third-place ranking among Premier League outfielders for switches of play (32) and eighth for total successful long passes (147). It is this blend of technical prowess and tactical awareness that makes Alexander-Arnold a unique asset.
The Versatility Dilemma
Despite these accolades, his role isn't without challenges. "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," observes Jason McAteer, a former Liverpool player. However, McAteer believes in Alexander-Arnold’s potential, highlighting that "the game has evolved now."
"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," McAteer explains, capturing the modern demands placed on full-backs. This evolution is precisely why Alexander-Arnold's hybrid role at right-back, where he can drift into midfield, seems tailored for his skills.
Tim Jenkins concurs, "I think that hybrid full-back role is still his best position, where he can roll into the inside of the pitch. 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 Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to develop, his adaptability and technical attributes promise to keep him at the forefront of football’s evolving tactics, whether in the red of Liverpool or representing his country. His journey from a versatile youth player to a key player on the international stage is a testament to his unique abilities and relentless drive.