Trent Alexander-Arnold has admitted he is relishing his hybrid role at Liverpool and the greater control he is able to have on games as a result.
The Liverpool star was first trialled in this system during a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in April, which sees the 25-year-old occupy midfield spaces when in possession of the ball. The impact of this change was obvious, with Jurgen Klopp’s side winning seven consecutive Premier League matches after their meeting with the Gunners before drawing their final two games of the campaign.
Alexander-Arnold has continued to be utilised in the same role this term and is once again proving the difference he can make in central areas, providing killer passes and crosses for team-mates to attack.
Liverpool will hope the rewards of this approach to bringing the best out of the Academy graduate are obvious come May, having silverware to show for it, and Alexander-Arnold is not shying away from what he thinks the Reds are capable of this year.
“Win the league,” he said.
On his license to advance higher up the pitch, the West Derby-born defender added: “It creates a lot more opportunities and options for me on the ball. It is a lot more connected. I feel like I am able to dictate games in there as well. You get more chance to get on the ball and dictate the tempo, dictate when and where we attack. Just that feeling of being in control of games.”
Speaking ahead of today’s clash at Brighton & Hove Albion, Alexander-Arnold continued: “It will be difficult to control the game there [Brighton], not many teams can do that. When we do have the opportunity to do it, we need to make sure we do it effectively and are set up defensively to make sure they cannot control the game as much as they really want to.”
Alexander-Arnold’s return to form has been a major boost for Klopp, who has had plenty to smile about so far this season. Liverpool’s new recruits have each hit the ground running, none more so than Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian has certainly made an instant impression on supporters and team-mates alike and resembles a player who has been playing in the Premier League over a prolonged period of time.
“They have really bought into what we are trying to achieve and shown signs that they want to achieve the same thing. We share the same ideas, the same mentality,” Alexander-Arnold told Sky Sports.
Szoboszlai has already showcased his impressive ability of shooting from range, though his chances of becoming the Reds’ new free-kick specialist appear to be in doubt. “I have had conversations with him, to be honest, and I have told him he is off them now,” said Alexander-Arnold. “He has had his chance. He has got that quality but against West Ham he had two that hit the wall. I think he might be off them.”
