Trent Alexander-Arnold has moved from right-back to a holding midfield position for Liverpool and England.
Trent Alexander-Arnold also discussed what motivates him, saying he is more concerned with being “the footballer” than focusing on a certain position.
With Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold played brilliantly as a right-back throughout their Champions League and Premier League victories. However, at the close of the previous campaign, Jurgen Klopp made a tactical change that saw the 25-year-old shift into a hybrid midfield role.
Ever since, Alexander-Arnold—who had previously found it difficult to get into Gareth Southgate’s team despite his club’s success—has been playing a more central role for the Reds when they have the ball and was included as a midfield player in the most recent England team.
“When asked about the change, I think about Trent the footballer; that’s what I have always seen the game as,” he said to BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I’ve always thought when I’ve stepped onto the pitch, you know, play the game, not a specific position.
“Just do what the game requires, not what I need—that is, follow the directions and do as I have been told, but also do what is best for the game.
“I will adjust my strategy to suit the needs of the game, whether it be to be more defensive and concentrate on defending space, or to be a bit more of a man marking setup, run off the ball, or create with the ball.”
Then he went on, saying, “I suppose I still have those ideals in my brain about shifting into midfield and playing in midfield.
“Everyone sees the game differently. I have always had that view [of being a creator], and when I first transitioned into becoming a full-back, I wanted to change how it was played for me, not just for the game in general, but more so for me.
“How I can get the best out of myself by doing those things, how I can still perform to the level I need to, and I expect from myself, and offer those things to the game from a full-back position. To change how people interpret the role and how people see it.
“I am sure in a midfield role, that will potentially be the same. I want to create and do things on the pitch; I want to do what I am told to do and whatever role that maybe, I am sure I will find a way to make it work; that brings the best out of me.”
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