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Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has opened up about his new role where he has excelled in the last few weeks.
The Reds have seen their fortunes drastically change since the England international was introduced by Jurgen Klopp in a new role.
The 24-year-old has been phenomenal in a hybrid role of a right-back and a central midfielder assigned to him by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
Alexander-Arnold has opened up on how Klopp has changed the course of the Reds' season with his tactical tweak after getting knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid. He told The Athletic:
“We were on the training pitch when the gaffer got out the tactics sheet and showed me it. Everything was normal defensively. And then with the ball he wanted me as a second No 6. The idea around it, as it was explained to me, was about improving our inside play. Controlling the centre. Getting an extra player in that area. He trusted me to be able to do what I needed to do to make it work."
The full-back added:
“I was excited. I saw it as an opportunity. It’s a position I’d not played before. I just wanted to go out there and prove that I could do it. We couldn’t prep much around it, if I’m being honest. With it being the day before the game, it was only a brief session. For Arsenal specifically, it was a case of trying to learn it as we played it.”
The Liverpool number 66 has admitted that he is very much happy to contribute on the pitch in his new role. He added:
“It feels good, it feels natural for me. I feel like I’m able to perform there. I’m able to affect games, change games, and dictate games. I want to keep doing it. I want to help the team to keep winning games. Hopefully, we can win the last two and finish this season on a high. Yeah, I think so. Before taking this on, I was only ever really able to break lines on the right side of the pitch."
He added:
"I was never able to do it on the left. And if I was to play a good pass it would be a big switch and they can only be so effective. This position just opens up the whole pitch for me. I’m able to kind of dictate the flow of the game — where we attack, how we attack and at what pace. That’s exciting. I really like being able to do that.”
Alexander-Arnold has been a creative spark for Liverpool since he was assigned a new role. The Englishman was heavily criticized for his poor defensive skills in the early stages of the season and he was not at his usual best while going forward either.
Since being introduced in a new role, he has one goal and six assists in eight games helping the Reds win seven of them.
Liverpool star pays tribute to the departing Roberto Firmino
Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson has paid an emotional tribute to the departing Roberto Firmino, acknowledging the Brazilian's contributions to the club.
The Scotsman has also insisted that the Reds could not have achieved success if not for the former Hoffenheim star. He hailed Firmino's impact at the club in a recent interview with the Athletic. He said (via Daily Mirror):
“The best way to sum up Bobby’s contribution to Liverpool would be that, without him, nothing would have been possible. The way we wanted to play, the way we went about our business, everything started with Bobby, with his pressing and his technical ability. He was our main man. When you look back on the great moments, Bobby was always involved in them — such an important player in helping us achieve the success that we did."
Robertson added:
“Bobby, you’ll be missed. I’ve loved every moment of playing with you for the past six years. It’s been an amazing time. You’re such a special player and such a special person to share a changing room with. I want to wish you and your family all the best with whatever the future holds for you. I know you’ll be successful wherever you go.”
Firmino joined Liverpool in 2015 back when Brendan Rodgers was at the helm at Anfield and he was moulded into a false nine by Jurgen Klopp.
The flamboyant and selfless attacker has scored 109 goals and provided 79 assists in 360 appearances. He has also won seven trophies during his time at Liverpool, including the Premier League and Champions League.
