Arne Slot could have a few of tricks up his sleeve ahead of his debut season at Liverpool.
Liverpool may have just disclosed the position in which Arne Slot wants Trent Alexander-Arnold to play next season. Since breaking onto the spotlight at Anfield, the 25-year-old has prided himself on being one of the world’s top right-backs, but he has recently begun to play in midfield.
Gareth Southgate made Alexander-Arnold’s World Cup qualifying debut in September 2021, starting him in the middle of the park against Andorra. While it was only a 45-minute trial, he played opposite Jude Bellingham as an eight, with Jordan Henderson as a six.
After the international break, Jurgen Klopp questioned why the Three Lions manager would play Alexander-Arnold out of position. The former Liverpool manager stated, “In this game, in a game where England are so dominant, for example, or where we are so dominant that Trent could play in midfield, I would rather he was the six than the eight.”
“That is possible, but why make the world’s best right-back a midfielder? I don’t really comprehend that. As if the right back position is less essential than the others. People who say that make me wonder how they could think that way.
Klopp was compelled to put Alexander-Arnold in midfield on a few times in 2018, but he did not revisit the strategy – on paper at least – until 2023. The Englishman played in the middle of the park in Liverpool’s 2-1 Carabao Cup fourth round win over Bournemouth, then again in the quarterfinals against West Ham United.
Alexander-Arnold recorded two assists in two games, each lasting no more than an hour. Meanwhile, with Southgate spoilt for choice at right-back, the Liverpool star has found himself playing more midfield.
Alexander-Arnold told FourFourTwo in April 2024 that his shift to the infield was a logical adjustment. He remarked, “It’s already evolved and adapted in a variety of ways. I believe the first game that worked brilliantly was when we played Leeds away in April, immediately after playing Arsenal.
“We won 6-1, and I believe I had the most touches and passes. I’d like to examine all of the stats. I thought I controlled the game, so I said, ‘Yeah, this will work, it’s natural.’ I was moving, I was alert, and I was able to complete my tasks, as was everyone else. When you win 6-1, it typically signifies you did something correctly.”
The Three Lions manager was also questioned over his decision to play Alexander-Arnold significantly deeper alongside Declan Rice in a double pivot earlier last month. He stated, “Firstly, he enjoys playing in an England shirt.
“He has had a challenging international career in that, due to the strength in depth in the region, we have not always been able to provide him with the quantity of football that his quality warrants.
“But we have always been trying to find a way to do that and I think he knows that and he appreciates that so it was lovely to see him score, have that moment and play with that confidence for England.”
The Three Lions manager was also questioned over his decision to play Alexander-Arnold significantly deeper alongside Declan Rice in a double pivot earlier last month. He stated, “Firstly, he enjoys playing in an England shirt.
“He has had a challenging international career in that, due to the strength in depth in the region, we have not always been able to provide him with the quantity of football that his quality warrants.
“But we have always been trying to find a way to do that and I think he knows that and he appreciates that so it was lovely to see him score, have that moment and play with that confidence for England.”
Southgate added: “We were very pleased; it is a role he is discovering and has been eager to learn since I first discussed it with him a year or so ago, and what we saw in the last half hour is also an important option for us.”
“We are going to have different challenges in this tournament and we are going to have to have different ways of solving problems that teams pose us.”
With Alexander-Arnold settling into the midfield role, Slot appears eager to construct his squad around the technician, which might include signing a new right-back. According to German website SportBild, Liverpool has spoken with Bayer Leverkusen about a possible transfer for Jeremie Frimpong.
This season, the 23-year-old defender was a key member of Xabi Alonso’s team, helping the German club go undefeated in the Bundesliga. According to the article, Frimpong’s contract at BayArena has a €40 million (£33.7 million) release clause. SportBild adds that the release clause expires on Friday, despite the fact that his contract is valid until June 2028.
Barcelona reportedly made an offer for the Netherlands international, but it was deemed insufficient for Bayer Leverkusen to accept. Slot will want to put his own stamp on the Reds this summer, so this may mark the beginning of a new era.
