Conclusion
Trent Alexander-Arnold has gone from a player who looked lost in his position to one who is now thriving in a new role. His last 12 games have seen him shine for both club and country, with 10 goal contributions in that time. A change in system has allowed Trent to be more productive in midfield and less predictable from any part of the pitch. His trademark cross from a central position has been replicated in multiple games, while his passing ability has been on full display for England. Trent looks ready to take on next season from a central area and show more of what he is good at.
Is Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Long-Term Position Now Set?
Introduction
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been one of Liverpool’s most talented players for some time, but his form had been lacking until recently. After a tough moment in a Liverpool shirt at the Etihad, something had to give. People began to think about what could change, and the solution was to alter Trent’s position. This change has seen him shine for both club and country in the last 12 games, with 10 goal contributions in that time. This article will explore how Trent has benefitted from this change in system and how it has impacted his form for both club and country.
Trent Finds Freedom to Expand His Game
The watershed moment came when Liverpool entertained Arsenal at Anfield. Trent was deployed in his new inside full-back position in a 3-2-2-3 formation in possession. For 40 minutes, it looked like a costly mistake as Trent could not establish his influence. However, a clash of heads with Granit Xhaka fired him up and he went on to have a dominant performance. He had 76 touches, made four tackles, won seven duels and completed 41 passes alongside his fantastic assist for Roberto Firmino. This shows the difference Trent can make from playing further up the field, as he can be more productive in midfield and less predictable from any part of the pitch.
Trent’s New Trademark
An example of this is the chance right at the end of the game against Arsenal, which started with a perfectly delivered central cross from Alexander-Arnold for Darwin Nunez to head across for Ibrahima Konate, only to be denied by Aaron Ramsdale. The accuracy of the cross was so precise and scarily made to look so easy that you must question if Kevin De Bruyne produced that pass, would you be surprised? Being compared to the Belgian shows what level of quality Trent can perform at. This was evident in his identical goals scored via first-time finishes against Spurs and Leicester City, the first at the far post from Trent’s pinpoint delivery.
Impact on Other Players
The change in system has also helped get the best out of other players. For instance, Curtis Jones has made a name for himself by playing a big part for the final months of the season. His trademark run beyond the last man gave Trent a target to hit at the back post. This was evident in his identical goals scored via first-time finishes against Spurs and Leicester City, the first at the far post from Trent’s pinpoint delivery. Jones’ form reinforces how Liverpool as a team has improved since they changed the system, as the players look like they know where everyone is on the pitch, creating trust and more fluent moves from a cohesive unit.
Trent’s International Impact
Trent has then taken his momentum to the international level by putting in a stellar away performance in Malta. Having an 88 percent pass completion and winning seven of his 10 duels in the middle of the park shows how England’s new No. 10 dominated proceedings. The pass in the buildup to the first goal was nothing short of world class. To have the vision is one thing, but to pull it off shows what an asset England has on its hands – one that Gareth Southgate needs to build around. Even more impressively was replicating it against North Macedonia on Monday evening. The sheer accuracy of finding Bukayo Saka from so deep in his half shows the joy wingers have playing with Trent due to his passing ability, especially when they’re on the move.
Conclusion
It’s amazing what a stretch of 12 games can do for a footballer. Before, Trent looked devoid of belief in his abilities and was tortured by anyone playing left wing against Liverpool. Now he looks ready to take on next season from a central area and show more of what he is good at. The same can be said when being played in midfield for his country. Trent looks like a man reborn, and seems to have found the perfect position to flourish for his boyhood club and England.