Jurgen Klopp’s impending departure from Liverpool has left Trent Alexander-Arnold reflecting on the impact the manager has had on his career. The right-back acknowledges that Klopp’s departure could add a certain level of drama to the title race in the Premier League. Currently, Manchester City sits atop the league standings, with Arsenal in second place and Liverpool in third following unexpected defeats on Sunday.
Liverpool’s recent loss to Crystal Palace at home, coupled with their defeat to Atalanta in the Europa League, has put Klopp’s final season at Anfield under scrutiny. Alexander-Arnold, who made his return from a knee injury against Crystal Palace, anticipates more twists and turns as Klopp’s tenure comes to a close. The young player emphasizes that experience will play a crucial role in the title race, noting that both Manchester City and Arsenal have the advantage of having been involved in close title races before.
When asked about the potential impact of Klopp’s departure on Liverpool’s performance, Alexander-Arnold believes that it will gradually start to affect the team as the season progresses. He suggests that in May, if the title race is still tight, Klopp’s impending exit will become more prominent and could influence how Liverpool performs. However, until then, Alexander-Arnold stresses the importance of maintaining composure and focusing on getting the most out of themselves as a team.
The England international expresses his gratitude towards Klopp, describing him as an incredible influence on his career. He credits the manager for giving him the opportunity to play and for supporting him through the ups and downs of professional football. Alexander-Arnold acknowledges that Klopp’s guidance has been instrumental in his development as a player and that he owes everything to him.
Looking ahead to the future without Klopp, Alexander-Arnold admits that it will feel strange returning to pre-season training. However, he sees it as an exciting new challenge under a yet-to-be-announced new manager. The right-back also addresses his position on the field, stating that while he sees himself as someone who can play in both midfield and right-back, his focus remains on being a right-back until instructed otherwise by the manager.
As Alexander-Arnold looks forward to representing England at Euro 2024, he anticipates a later return to Liverpool for pre-season training. With Gareth Southgate considering him for a midfield role, the versatile player is open to playing in either position as needed. However, he reiterates that his primary position is still as a right-back for Liverpool.
In conclusion, Trent Alexander-Arnold acknowledges the impact Jurgen Klopp has had on his career and believes that Klopp’s impending departure could add drama to the Premier League title race. He emphasizes the importance of experience in such a race and expresses his gratitude towards Klopp for giving him the opportunity to play and guiding him through his career thus far. Looking ahead, Alexander-Arnold is excited about the new challenge of working under a new manager and remains focused on his role as a right-back for Liverpool.