Jürgen Klopp will probably never admit it publicly but he can say thank you to Pep Guardiola. While the two men meet this Saturday for a shock at the top of an ever more competitive Premier League, the German was able to count on the tactical inventiveness of the Catalan to revive a key man in his squad: Trent Alexander-Arnold.
As an extension of his numerous experiments at Bayern (Lahm, Alaba or Rafinha in midfield), Guardiola decided to make Joao Cancelo the X factor of his offensive animation. The right side’s defensive shortcomings were known but it was above all his ability to dynamite the restart and accelerate the pace in the middle which was valuable to City from 2021. Banco, the Portuguese was a number 10 who did not say his name in the Citizens system.
Why do you want to put the best right back in the world in midfield?
Put on the track by Gareth Southgate – who also went further at this international gathering by lining up almost number 10 against Malta (2-0) – Klopp decided to partly reshape his environment around him . Jordan Henderson and Fabinho gone? No problem, the sentinel of the future Alexander-Arnold has taken his place. In great difficulty last season, TAA had become the symbol of these irregular Reds, too light defensively and without sufficient structural foundation to resist waves of continuous injuries on the banks of the Mersey. This year, he shines in a less flashy Liverpool team but in the race for trophies.
“In terms of numbers, England and France are very, very far ahead of the rest of the world”
Klopp, however, was recalcitrant for a long time. In 2021, after Southgate’s first attempt, he refused to see the obvious. “But why do you want to put the best right-back in the world in midfield? I really struggle to understand how some people come to this conclusion,” he commented. “Some people think he can be more influential in the middle. How can you be more influential than Alexander-Arnold right now? We use him in the best possible way.” That season, TAA would sign 19 assists in the season, proof of its undeniable statistical influence.
However, the German coach ended up getting used to the idea. Already because his player, named vice-captain this summer, is increasingly claiming this position. Aware that his place in the selection as a right-back was threatened by, of choice, Kyle Walker, Reece James, Kieran Trippier and even Rico Lewis, he made the choice to naturally apply for this area where his complementarity with Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham can be a great asset in view of the Euro.
Trent Alexander-Arnold with England No.10
Credit: Imago
Analysis of Busquets, Pirlo, Xabi Alonso et… Stones
Then because the advantages are too numerous not to be exploited. Peter Crouch, , summed it all up at the start of the season. “I love Alexander-Arnold in midfield,” he explained. “It’s something I’ve wanted to see for a long time, like many people. All his strengths are increased tenfold and we see his weaknesses much less. With another full-back -professional law, more solid, it allows him to express himself at best.”
His long game, particularly towards dragsters Mo Salah or Darwin Nunez, works wonders. His interior passes do damage. His tempo management is already that of a veteran and his technical ease removes the specter of errors on restart. The compromise with Klopp thus happened naturally, especially in a year where the midfield was turned upside down. TAA only becomes regista when Liverpool have the ball. When he defends, he finds this right lane where Klopp continues to highlight his existing defensive qualities but not as obvious as he would like you to believe.
To appropriate a role that was nevertheless tailor-made, the Englishman revised it. “I look at players from the past, like Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Andrea Pirlo or Steven Gerrard, just players that I loved watching,” he explained during the break. But its real model is more recent. “If we’re talking about a player with a hybrid role, who plays inverted – I don’t really know how to describe them – then it’s obviously John Stones. I’ve admired his game for a long time so I watch him a lot. Sometimes, when I watch Manchester City matches, I only focus on him.” The Citizens’ dependence on Rodri but also on Stones proves that TAA knows its football well.
Doku, the ultimate test
Since the start of the season, in any case, England football has been delighted with this new role. But Klopp keeps the accounts. Ten days ago, despite some truly exciting copies, he had qualified the general enthusiasm: “We know he can play there but if he only plays there, we lose one of the best right-backs in the world, he won’t must never be forgotten.” Since the start of the season, TAA has only signed one assist, far from its usual standards. Basically, the test will be huge on Saturday for the rest of Alexander-Arnold’s career.
Going against national opinion, José Enrique, former left-back of the Reds, highlighted the gap that Guardiola could exploit this Saturday. “With this hybrid role, I find that Liverpool are really very exposed, more than in the past, explained the Spaniard to Squawka. Facing Manchester City and Doku in this area, I want to see Trent return as a right-back. Which is not obvious as he no longer seems to want to play on the wing.” So, is the sentinel of the future too far ahead of its time?
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Credit: Getty Images
2023-11-25 08:51:00
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