Man United Legend Identifies Two Things Liverpool Star Trent Alexander-Arnold Needs to Play in Midfield

Rio Ferdinand has pointed out two areas where he believes Arne Slot’s Liverpool should make adjustments if they plan to use Trent Alexander-Arnold in a central midfield role.

According to Ferdinand, there is no value in playing Alexander-Arnold in midfield unless Slot revises his system and ensures that Liverpool’s players are willing to cover more ground.

Since signing his first professional contract in 2016, Alexander-Arnold has made 313 appearances for Liverpool, excelling as a right-back.

Despite this, he has also demonstrated the ability to play in midfield, having been utilised in that position by former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and ex-England head coach Gareth Southgate.

While his accurate passes from wide areas have been a major asset in the Premier League—evidenced by his 81 assists—there is also a growing recognition of his potential to create plays from central areas.

This has led many to advocate for his permanent switch to midfield. However, Ferdinand argues that for Liverpool manager Slot and England’s interim coach Lee Carsley to succeed in playing Alexander-Arnold centrally, certain adjustments need to be made.

On his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, speaking with Jody Morris and Joel Beya, the Manchester United legend, emphasised the need for these tactical changes.

“It’s pointless having him move into midfield if there’s no runners or good movement penetrating the opposition’s back lines – because he’s the one that can play that balls like we saw against Ireland. And the other thing is, coach him or sort the system out so that he does not receive the ball with his back to play.

“That is the biggest problem in his game at that position. If he goes into the ball with his back to play… that’s alien to me and I was actually someone who people said was comfortable with the ball.

“But going to the ball and not knowing what’s behind you – the angles that he needs to come on the ball like someone like [Sergio] Busquets or Toni Kroos.

“The way they come onto the ball, they drop into the little half-positions where they’re getting it side on, one touch and they see the game.”

Beya then added: “He was poor at that during the Euros,” before Ferdinand interjected: “Yeah, that’s down to him but also that’s down to coaching.

“Like, there’s things like fundamentals that are non-negotiable. Don’t go straight onto the ball – that’ll be in your head then so you don’t. And this is coaching.

“Whether that was relayed to him, or he didn’t understand it. But those are the two things I would be looking at if I was coaching him in that framework.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold found it challenging to secure a regular spot as the Euro 2024 tournament progressed in Germany.

He began in midfield for England under Gareth Southgate, starting the first two group stage matches against Serbia and Denmark, but was eventually replaced by Manchester United’s young talent, Kobbie Mainoo.

However, Slot may opt to return Alexander-Arnold to his traditional right-back role moving forward, especially after his impressive form in the 2024/25 Premier League season.

Liverpool have already dominated Ipswich, Brentford, and arch-rivals Manchester United in an unbeaten run, with the 25-year-old playing right back in each match, while midfield duties have been handled by Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

In othe Liverpool news, Gerard Pique Makes 2024/25 Liverpool Champions League Prediction