There isn’t any query that Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s imminent return to motion represents a serious enhance to Liverpool’s hopes of additional glory this season.
However it is usually honest to say that occasions in his absence have solely served to reignite the talk over which place Jurgen Klopp can be greatest served to deploy him in.
Previous to Alexander-Arnold’s latest knee harm, it appeared the query over his function had been emphatically answered by each his type and that of the crew as an entire.
For starters, Liverpool nearly salvaged a forgettable 2022/23 marketing campaign by releasing up the 25-year-old in April final yr, successful seven and drawing three of their ultimate 10 fixtures.
And that enchancment sustained into this season, as proven by the truth that the Reds lately performed their thirty eighth recreation since their change of system having picked up extra factors than every other crew in that interval barring Man Metropolis (each 88).
Why, then, would anybody recommend ripping up the tactical blueprint that has introduced such good outcomes?
Properly, it’s value noting that, throughout the 14 video games Alexander-Arnold has missed by means of his knee downside and its recurrence, Liverpool have posted 11 wins, two attracts, and only one defeat.
It’s a return that means their resurgence this time period is a results of a number of components, relatively than a easy tweak of place for one in every of their key males.
What’s extra, the type of his alternative, Conor Bradley, has been eye-catching sufficient to make the case that Klopp doesn’t essentially have to be wed to asking his right-back to play in a sure approach.
Clearly, it could be insanity to assert that the 20-year-old is a greater participant than a person who has gained each honour out there throughout his time as Liverpool’s right-back.
However, even accounting for a small pattern dimension and the overall tendency to overstate Alexander-Arnold’s weak spot on this entrance, Bradley has proven indicators of being superior in particular defensive parts of the sport.
Within the Premier League this season, the Northern Irishman has gained the next proportion of tackles (84.2% to 67.9%), duels (57.9% to 45.9%), and has been dribbled previous much less often per 90 minutes (1.81 to 2.6).
In fact, all this may be caveated with the truth that he’s not within the class of his fellow right-back in possession, with Alexander-Arnold fairly merely among the finest passers of the ball in world soccer.
But that will get to the crux of the dialogue over what Klopp needs from his right-back and whether or not the trade-offs required are solely value it.
On the subject of Alexander-Arnold beginning there, it could be an utter waste to not ask him to stroll into midfield at each alternative so as to make full use of his fantastic passing vary.
However that comes with drawbacks, specifically a gaping gap in his nominal place that may be exploited in turnover, leading to an over-reliance on Ibrahima Konate‘s capability to cowl giant areas.
In contrast, every time Joe Gomez or Bradley have been deployed at right-back, this inversion has been far much less pronounced, with each males merely requested to choose their moments to make an additional man within the center.
And, on the floor a minimum of, this has made Liverpool really feel way more defensively safe than after they have persistently requested a member of their again 4 to vacate his place.
Admittedly, it’s laborious to think about Klopp ditching this setup – or, certainly, the phrases of a wager with Pep Lijnders that began this experiment – forward of a run-in wherein two extra trophies are at stake.
However with a brand new supervisor coming on this summer season and Liverpool having lately proven they will win differently, it might nicely be that Alexander-Arnold is getting ready for his final outings within the place he has referred to as dwelling for therefore lengthy.
