Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has sparked ongoing debates about his position, with discussions showing no signs of stopping. However, the answer is clear.
We may never find a definitive answer, and perhaps there isn’t one. But is there any player more frequently discussed than Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold regarding his optimal position?
The debate over moving him up the pitch to play in midfield has intensified recently with Arne Slot succeeding Jurgen Klopp.
The Dutchman might reconsider the situation, and the calls for this change will only grow louder if Gareth Southgate successfully deploys Alexander-Arnold in midfield for England, regardless of the opponent.
However, the fact remains that the Scouser has reached the top of the game while playing at right-back. Perhaps the best solution is to focus on him excelling in the position where he has already proven himself world-class.
Additionally, there is no clear spot for him in Liverpool’s midfield without displacing someone like Curtis Jones or Dominik Szoboszlai.
Declan Rice has urged England to find a way to get the best out of Alexander-Arnold this week, recognising his unique talent. However, the question persists regarding the optimal position for the Liverpool number 66 to benefit both his club and national team.
“I think in midfield he’s still really learning and discovering the role, so positionally it is, at times, going to be different for him,” England boss Gareth Southgate told the media during a press conference.
“But again, you saw moments [against Bosnia last Monday] of the qualities of his passes; the slid passes, the longer passes. Both are really good options for us.
“Firstly, he is enjoying playing in an England shirt. He has had a difficult international career in that because of the strength in depth in the area, we haven’t always been able to give him the amount of football that his talent deserves.
“But we have always been trying to find a way to do that and I think he knows that and he appreciates that so it was lovely to see him score, have that moment and play with that confidence for England.
“We were very pleased, it is a role he is discovering and he is hungry to learn and has been since I talked to him about playing it a year or so ago and equally what we saw in the last half an hour is also an important option for us as well.”
Those comments shed light into the situation heading to summer. Even if Alexander-Arnold can fit into an England midfield against a weaker opponent, fully adjusting and adapting will take time — something Liverpool won’t have this summer due to international tournaments.
The European Championship (and Copa America) finals are on July 14, just a month before the new Premier League season begins. Players involved will also need a holiday at some point.
While England’s confidence before a tournament is typical, there is a real chance the Three Lions could reach the final this time.
With no clear favourite for Euro 2024 and a strong squad featuring top players from England (Phil Foden), Germany (Harry Kane), and Spain (Jude Bellingham), Southgate’s team has a genuine chance to go far.
In the event of Alexander-Arnold exiting in the quarter-finals or semi-finals, returning for pre-season would leave him little time to adapt to a new position. The challenge extends beyond him, as those around him would also require refinement in their roles.
Can Alexander-Arnold and Alexis Mac Allister coexist in the same midfield? Their overlapping play could prove restrictive. Moreover, there’s uncertainty about Conor Bradley’s readiness to play every game.
With limited pre-season training available during a transitional phase, integrating Alexander-Arnold into a new role seems unrealistic, given his lack of senior-level experience in that position. Slot must prepare the entire squad, making such a project challenging.
Hence, it’s likely that Alexander-Arnold will continue in a similar role to what he played under Klopp upon Slot’s arrival. Questions about his long-term role remain unanswered, emphasizing that it’s a matter for the future rather than the present.
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