Trent Alexander-Arnold: Versatility and Evolution at Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold, now 25 years old, is gearing up for Liverpool's 2024-25 campaign. Since making his debut in 2016, Alexander-Arnold has accumulated an impressive 310 appearances for the club, primarily as a right-back. Not only has he excelled at his club, but he has also made a significant mark on the international stage, having played in midfield for England in six of his last seven starts.
Alexander-Arnold's journey through the ranks of Liverpool's academy is a testament to his adaptability and skill. According to Tim Jenkins, a former analyst and assistant coach for Liverpool Under-21s, Alexander-Arnold showcased his talents as a centre-half and full-back in the Under-15s before transitioning to midfield in the Under-16s under Pep Lijnders. Jenkins recalls, "He was right in the middle of the pitch and involved in everything."
As Alexander-Arnold progressed, his role evolved. Under Neil Critchley in the Under-18s, his physical attributes were harnessed, allowing him to play as a right winger or right full-back. Jenkins highlights a significant period in his development, noting, "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."
Alexander-Arnold's first Premier League start came in January 2017, in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United. Since then, he has become renowned for his creative prowess. In the 2018-19 season, he registered the third-highest tally of assists in the Premier League with 12, a feat he surpassed the following season with 13 assists, second only to Kevin de Bruyne. In the 2021-22 campaign, his 12 assists were bettered only by Mohamed Salah.
Last season, Alexander-Arnold reached new heights, with an average of 5.25 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes in the Premier League and Europa League, ranking in the 99th percentile among full-backs in Europe's top five divisions. He also led in expected assisted goals per 90 (0.37) and passes attempted (87.71), and was in the 98th percentile for progressive passes (8.69). His 147 successful long passes and 32 switches of play ranked eighth and third among Premier League outfielders, respectively.
Despite these impressive statistics, Alexander-Arnold's versatility has occasionally drawn scrutiny. Former Liverpool player Jason McAteer comments on the modern evolution of the full-back role, noting, "Today's full-back is a lot more like a wing-back. You've got to get forward, get balls into the box, and have this hybrid role where you come into midfield." McAteer believes Alexander-Arnold embodies this evolution, stating, "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."
McAteer also touches on the challenges Alexander-Arnold has faced, particularly with England. "His qualities are there to be seen, but you can be exposed. Time and space are your best mates in football. If you're not given that by the player alongside you, defending and taking players away, you're not going to flourish," he explains. He adds, "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."
As Liverpool continues to rely on Alexander-Arnold's versatility, Tim Jenkins reflects on his ideal position, suggesting that a hybrid full-back role suits him best. "He can be a full-back when you haven't got the ball and a midfielder when you have," Jenkins says. Klopp's approach to Alexander-Arnold's deployment seems to embrace this flexibility, with Jenkins noting, "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 the 2024-25 campaign approaches, Alexander-Arnold's future remains a topic of interest, particularly with his contract set to expire in the summer and links to Real Madrid circulating. Nevertheless, his journey from Liverpool's youth ranks to one of the most versatile and creative players in the Premier League underscores a career marked by continuous evolution and adaptation.