Gabby Agbonlahor wants Liverpool to sign Jude Bellingham rather than deploy Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield
While speaking with Football Insider (h/t Liverpool Echo), Gabby Agbonlahor doesn’t feel Trent Alexander-Arnold can play in the midfield for Liverpool and wants the Reds to sign Jude Bellingham.
The former Aston Villa striker has his doubts about the right-back’s ability to play in the midfield. The 35-year-old believes it would be hard for Trent to play in the middle of the park where there isn’t much space.
“Yes, he has the attributes, the passing but there is still more that is needed in midfield. The running with the ball, the tight spaces that he’s probably not used to as much at right-back.”
“I think it’s a lot to ask for him to fill that role.”
Agbonlahor feels the Merseyside club needs to go out and get Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund either this year or the next. The striker believes the Reds need to look at signing the 19-year-old to fill the position in the midfield, giving them a talented option to take on the mantle.
“If Liverpool are going to solve that midfield role then they are going to have to look at Bellingham. If he’s not available this season then wait another season because I don’t think Alexander-Arnold is the answer.”
Why play Trent out of position?
In the England national team, Gareth Southgate has opted to play Trent in the midfield on occasions, but Jurgen Klopp seems to be against such a decision.
The right-back is one of the best passers of the ball in world football. The 23-year-old is up there with the best midfielders every season when it comes to providing assists and crafting opportunities. But the reason the Englishman is effective is that he plays on the right alongside Mohamed Salah.
Trent’s biggest weapon are the balls he whips into the box from the right. With our offensive full-backs bombing down the wings, opposition teams have a hard time containing the team. And that’s why the 23-year-old works on the right for our German manager.
In 226 appearances for the Reds, Trent has provided 62 assists while playing as a right back. While fans might feel the youngster still has a lot of time left in the game and the quality to mould his game, the team needs him on the right. Even if Trent were to play well in another position, it would mean upsetting the team’s balance.
In the national team, Southgate is blessed with options to play on the right and playing Trent in the midfield or in a more advanced position out wide is something the England manager has the luxury of doing.
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The 23-year-old has established himself as one of the best right-backs in the world and playing him in a position he has no experience in makes no sense. It’s hard to find players of Trent’s quality to play on the right and Bellingham has proven himself as an adept midfield player. So, signing the midfielder instead of pushing our right-back in the position is the wisest option.
