Gary Neville thinks it is not the time for Trent Alexander-Arnold to move into midfield
Football pundit Gary Neville thinks the time has passed for Trent Alexander-Arnold to learn a new position and move into midfield.
The Liverpool star played in a slightly tweaked position against Arsenal, where in possession he was more of a right-sided central midfielder and became a right-back when having to defend.
His numbers from that game were exceptional. He won six out of the 11 ground duels, made four key passes, won four tackles, had 80% pass accuracy and assisted the equalising goal for the Reds with a great cross following a cheeky nutmeg on Oleksandr Zinchenko [Sofascore].
When asked whether the 24-year-old can permanently move into midfield, here’s what Neville said (h/t Sky Sports):
“Alexander-Arnold would drift into midfield in any case given the freedom being at right-back gives him, but if he was actually down to play in midfield away from home in the Premier League and he was getting the ball popped into him, when he’s got his back to play, that’s a different ball game.
“Some of the best midfielders in the world, the Xavis, Iniestas, they’re the ones who can manipulate the ball and Rodri does it very well. Trent wouldn’t be able to do that, honestly.
“It’s something we’ve said before about Declan Rice, and his ability to receive the ball on the half turn. You’ve got to be a top player who has played hundreds of games as a kid, looking over your shoulder.”
Although some of the comments he makes are baffling, Neville is spot on with this one. To play in the midfield, there are a lot more nuisances that a player needs to learn.
Moreover, Alexander-Arnold has played his best football as a right-back. He is just having a bad season. Once he returns to his best level, that position suits him more than anything.
With Mohamed Salah on that side, the 24-year-old tends to get the space on that side to pick his head up and find people in the box with exceptional crosses or passes. He showed that quality against Arsenal multiple times.
One may think that Jurgen Klopp would also be in agreement with what Neville said. The German could continue playing Alexander-Arnold at right-back and provide better defensive cover for him when he goes high up the field in possession to create chances.
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- Liverpool have concrete interest in Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister
Well, Liverpool have Jude Bellingham as their primary midfield target. He, Trent and Salah on one side would form a deadly trio. The former would add more legs compared to Jordan Henderson defensively. But, that is all in the ifs as we do not know whether we will get Bellingham.
