This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Jamie Carragher believes that Trent Alexander-Arnold could have a future in midfield as he has already proved he has the quality and creativity to match the best in the Premier League.
What did he say?
The former Liverpool defender spoke about the 21-year-old and how he and Andy Robertson bring a different aspect to the club because of their attacking intent.
Both full-backs made 13 or more assists last term and have shown no signs of slowing down this season, prompting Carragher to suggest Alexander-Arnold could play further forward.
Many of the right-back’s assists come from crosses and corners, reminding the pundit of Kevin De Bruyne. The Man City man hass already tallied nine assists in this campaign, with a lot of success coming via whipped passes from the right, as assists against Everton and Watford evidence.
Carragher, speaking on talkSPORT, said: “I was just thinking about in the future it could be something for Liverpool to look at [playing in midfield]. But, in terms of his creativity, he’s still probably getting as many assists or is just behind [Kevin] De Bruyne.
“You could imagine him in that De Bruyne position – just tucked in on the right. You see the assists De Bruyne has from a different position than Trent, he’s obviously wider and he’s crossing it, De Bruyne is more passing it really.
“So he is massively involved but I definitely see, going forward, if he wanted to play that role or if Liverpool have another right-back coming through or Liverpool wanted more creativity, there is no doubt.
“On the ball, he is probably better than what Liverpool have in those players.”
Future midfielder?
Liverpool’s attacking full-backs are a big factor in their goalscoring, but it is possible Jurgen Klopp could look to alter his team in future, and there are two key reasons for that.
Firstly, as Carragher notes, the Reds have a promising right-back coming through the academy in Ki-Jana Hoever, who made his debut for the club at the age of 16 back in January and has impressed U23 manager Neil Critchley.
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More urgent, perhaps, is the fact that the England international currently offers more in the way of creativity and chances created than his midfield teammates.
Alexander-Arnold’s record of three assists this season is no surprise considering he averages 3.5 key passes per game, and the quality of his crossing often puts opposition defences under pressure, whether from a set-piece or open play.
By comparison, of Klopp’s regular midfield trio of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum, the highest average key pass per league game is 0.5, with only one assist between them this term.
Against opposition who are likely to defend deep it may be worthwhile for Alexander-Arnold to play further forward and replace one of those three, as he possesses not only the necessary quality on the ball but intelligence with his runs, almost scoring against Newcastle as the result of one.
That could be because he has experience playing in midfield, having been utilised there in various Liverpool youth teams, and therefore it may not take too long for the youngster to adjust to a new position.
