HomeLiverpool FC NewsLiverpool used Alexander-Arnold 9 years ago

Liverpool used Alexander-Arnold 9 years ago

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# Trent Alexander-Arnold: From Right Back to Midfield?

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been tipped to make the move from right back to midfield for some time now, and the end of last season saw him push further forward, playing as a deep-lying midfielder while the Reds were in possession. While it would be a new role for him, it wouldn’t be completely unfamiliar. Gareth Southgate has been playing him in an advanced position for England and, perhaps more pertinently, Liverpool assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders also has experience of fielding him further up the pitch.

## Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Early Years

Before joining Jurgen Klopp’s squad, Alexander-Arnold was coached by Lijnders at under-16s level. Speaking to The Coaches’ Voice, Lijnders recalled how he used his prodigy’s talents in the academy: “The first thing I did was make him captain and put him in the No. 6 position in midfield. I really believe that your best talents have to have the ball most, so I played three at the back, a diamond midfield and a front three. Ben Woodburn played as the No. 10, and Trent was the No. 6. I saw a player who could play the final pass from almost everywhere, and as the six you have the chance to do that.”

## The Influence of Pepijn Lijnders

Towards the end of last season, we could begin to see how a similar system was being deployed by Liverpool, with Fabinho and Alexander-Arnold playing in front of a defensive three while in possession. Lijnders added: “I had one season with Trent. He scored goals, created goals and played passes, but he also became more responsible because of the captaincy and also the position.” In a 2020 interview with The Athletic, the Dutchman gave a further hint at his role in shifting Alexander-Arnold forward in the new 3-4-3 setup.

“Trent developed as a guy incredibly that season,” he explained. “He was my captain and our No. 6 with only three players behind him in a three-diamond-three so he had to do everything well. You have leaders by talking, but Trent was a leader very naturally.” It is clear the assistant manager has had a growing influence in the last couple of seasons, and the players clearly trust him. Alexander-Arnold told The Athletic: “The detail he went into, his will to win – it was unbelievable. It was exactly what I wanted and what I needed. Pep and I used to stay out for hours after training, just playing two-touch, messing around, head tennis. There were sessions when we’d been out on the grass so long after a session that the floodlights would go off.”

## Could Lijnders Replace Klopp?

Lijnders’ foray into being a manager, at NEC Nijmegen, didn’t go to plan but he has gained considerable experience since then. If Liverpool were to be successful in the next few years, it could see him take pole position to replace Klopp in the future.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is already showing signs of making the move from right back to midfield permanent next season, but it wouldn’t be entirely new to him. The influence of assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders has been key in his development and, if Liverpool continue to be successful in the coming years, it could see him take pole position to replace Jurgen Klopp in the future.

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