Trent Alexander-Arnold has had an incredible journey since making his debut for Liverpool in 2016. The 25-year-old recently surpassed the milestone of 310 appearances for the club, a testament to his consistent performance and importance to the team. As Liverpool gears up for the 2024-25 campaign, Alexander-Arnold is once again in the spotlight, showcasing his versatility and skill.
A Versatile Talent
Starting his career primarily as a right-back, Alexander-Arnold has shown remarkable adaptability. While he has spent the majority of his career at Liverpool in that position, his role with the England national team has evolved. The young star has played in midfield in six of his last seven starts for the Three Lions, proving his ability to impact the game from various positions. 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."
Jenkins also reflected on Alexander-Arnold's early versatility: "Before the Under-16s, he'd played as a centre-half and a full-back for Michael Beale in the Under-15s age group." This adaptability has undoubtedly contributed to his development into a multifaceted player capable of influencing the game from multiple areas on the field.
Stats Speak Volumes
Alexander-Arnold's statistics from last season underscore his profound impact on the field. His average of 5.25 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes in the Premier League and Europa League ranks 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 (0.37) and passes attempted (87.71), showcasing his creative prowess and involvement in Liverpool's offensive play.
His vision and passing accuracy are further highlighted by his ranking in various categories. He ranked eighth among outfielders in the Premier League for total successful long passes (147) and third for switches of play (32). Jenkins has seen the evolution firsthand, noting, "If you look at the assists from earlier in his career, they came from wide. 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."
Development and Challenges
Alexander-Arnold's journey hasn't been without its challenges. He was notably absent for Liverpool's tour of America, but he bounced back to start in the final pre-season friendly against Sevilla at right-back. Jason McAteer, a former Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, and Republic of Ireland player, observes the evolving role of a modern full-back: "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."
Despite his many strengths, McAteer also points out areas for improvement: "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." This critique highlights the ongoing development necessary for Alexander-Arnold to become a more complete player.
The Road Ahead
Speculation about Alexander-Arnold's future is rife, with links to Real Madrid emerging as his contract is set to expire in the summer. Liverpool fans will be eager to see if their homegrown talent will extend his stay at Anfield or seek new challenges abroad. Regardless of where he plays, one thing is clear: Trent Alexander-Arnold will continue to be an influential figure in world football.
As Tim Jenkins aptly describes, "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." Such adaptability and skill make him a player to watch for years to come.