Trent Alexander-Arnold set to continue in central role
As Liverpool look to revamp their midfield, Jurgen Klopp said that he had been impressed by the 24-year-old’s performances in a new position.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been given a new assignment in recent weeks and has thrived in his more advanced hybrid role.
The 24-year-old was fielded at right back against Arsenal two weeks ago, but was given the freedom to drift inside and dictate the play in Liverpool’s impressive 2-2 draw. He was given a similar role in Monday’s 6-1 win over Leeds United and could continue there in the games to come.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s match against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Alexander-Arnold’s adaptability.
“In each position Trent has played for us he has always been a super important player. A slightly advanced role that he is playing at the moment suits him really well,” Klopp said.
The German coach added that Alexander-Arnold’s presence in midfield had allowed his side to better keep control of the ball.
“It’s a challenge for everybody else to cover the spaces when we lose the ball theoretically, but with him there we didn’t lose that many balls as well. It’s not written in stone, he can play in different ways but how he has played in the last two games has been really, really good.”
Klopp looks for greater consistency from his side
After coming so close to an unprecedented quadruple last season Liverpool’s drop-off this campaign has been shocking. While they have still managed to hit the heights on some occasions – the 7-0 win over Manchester United, in particular – Liverpool’s inconsistency may have cost them Champions League qualification.
Klopp referenced his side’s inconsistency in the pre-match press conference on Friday.
“It has been a very average season we have had so far and yet we have had some of our highest results in the in club’s history, which is strange.
However the Liverpool boss said that he is beginning to see signs of progress from his players in recent performances.
“I said after the Leeds game I thought that was the best game we have played this season. It was a very stable performance which is very important and that is what we have to build on.”
Liverpool have eight games remaining this season and are currently nine points adrift of Newcastle United in the final Champions League place. But while qualification for Europe’s elite club competition is probably now out of reach, Klopp insisted that his team will be looking to keep up their promising recent performances.
“I can’t guarantee any kind of result but we have to guarantee a performance level and that is what we have to do now,” he said.