Jurgen Klopp should try Trent Alexander-Arnold in a more central role further upfield, according to Darren Bent
The Liverpool full-back has been heavily criticized for his defensive performances this season, but he was deployed in a midfield role against Arsenal on Sunday while the Reds were in possession of the ball – a role similar to the one that John Stones has recently adopted at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.
Our No. 66’s passing ability distinguishes him from other full-backs, and Bent believes it will help the England international thrive in a new role for Klopp’s team.
“But can you imagine Trent in that situation?” With his passing range?”
“That’s where he needs to go so his defensive duties are less,” co-host Andy Goldstein said.
“If you could get him – and to be fair, Klopp tried it a little bit against Arsenal in the first half – but you could tell it was new to him,” Bent responded.
“But Trent’s passing range, I think as a standard full-back, right-back, he’ll always have those defensive problems.”
“However, if you play him in that inverted full-back role, with his passing range and technique, he can do some serious damage.”
“John Stones is playing extremely well.”
Alexander-Arnold had one of his best games in a long time against Arsenal last weekend.
After nutmegging Oleksandr Zinchenko and putting the ball on a plate for our No. 9, he played a key role in Bobby Firmino’s late equalizer.
The 24-year-old was a central midfielder while progressing through Liverpool’s Academy, and you can see that he’s a strong dribbler with a great eye for a pass – both of which are essential qualities for someone operating in the middle of the park.
Although we have nine Premier League games left this season to close the 12-point gap between ourselves and the top four, it appears unlikely that we will qualify for next season’s Champions League, so Klopp may feel that now is the ideal time for him to try some new tactics and see how the Scouser performs in a different role.
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