Jurgen Klopp questions England’s use of star man Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold deployed in midfield
In England’s fixture against minnows Andorra, England boss Gareth Southgate sprung a tactical surprise by deploying Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in central midfield.
Your #ThreeLions to take on Andorra at @wembleystadium! 🦁 pic.twitter.com/HdGiH0PBNK
— England (@England) September 5, 2021
Alexander-Arnold lined up on the right side of the midfield 3, alongside club captain Jordan Henderson and Borussia Dortmund starlet Jude Bellingham, with the Liverpool man looking unsurprisingly assured on the ball.
England ultimately romped home to a 4-0 victory over their opponents, who were a far second best, meaning that it was hard to judge the quality of performances from the Three Lions, Trent included. However, he did what was asked of him astutely, and will have left people questioning whether this is to be his new role amid the right-back logjam Southgate faces.
Klopp joins Henderson in questioning new role
At club level, however, it is clear that nothing will change. Speaking to the media ahead of Liverpool’s tie with Leeds United this Sunday, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp questioned the decision to play his star right-back in central midfield, asking:
“But why would you make the best right-back in the world a midfielder?
“I struggle to understand how you can think that?”
Klopp: “But why would you make the best right-back in the world a midfielder?
“I struggle to understand how you can think that?”
— Paul Gorst (@ptgorst) September 10, 2021
Klopp is not the only Merseyside operator to harbour reservations either, with Jordan Henderson having offered the same outlook earlier in the week. Reported in the Liverpool Echo, the Liverpool captain said:
“Trent did some good things. Obviously it was his first time really in that position so he’s learning all the time, it’s a new experience for him. He did really well.”
“We changed personnel a little bit in the second half but it is a great experience for him. Going forward it is a possibility for him and the manager will think that’s good for him.
“But at the minute he is so good at right-back, especially at club level, that I don’t see that changing in the near future.
“But it’s good the gaffer here is looking at it to see what he can add – you have to be very talented to play in any position – but for me, he is so good at the right-hand side delivering crosses that he should stick to that for the time being.”
Will Southgate listen to the Liverpool pair, or will we see Trent Alexander Arnold in midfield more often?
