After experiencing a trend of ups and downs in performance and being stranded in the middle of the Premier League, Liverpool recently showed a significant increase in level. They were even able to record 6 consecutive wins, after winning 1-0 over Brentford last Saturday (6/5).
Here, the spotlight is mostly on Mohamed Salah, who is diligent in scoring goals, Alisson, who is performing well under the rule, and a number of players who are recovering from injuries, such as Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.
The factors above are indeed the key to improving the performance of the Reds, but if one may mention one other key factor, then that factor is the change in position of Trent Alexander-Arnold to become a “playmaker”, from the previous right-back position.
Actually, this change is not something drastic, because it only returns the player to his initial position. During his time at the Liverpool academy, the number 66 player started out as a midfielder, before being plotted by coach Juergen Klopp to become a right-back.
That’s why Trent is quite creative for a right-back: he has good vision for playing, accurate crosses, and is able to execute set-pieces. However, this attacking attribute often makes him a weak point, because he often forgets to retreat when he has to defend, and is not strong enough in one-on-one duels.
This combination often makes TAA in and out of the England National Team and has been criticized by a number of parties. However, this criticism has recently disappeared, as the player has recently transformed.
Many say that the Liverpool academy graduate was transformed by Klopp into an “inverted wing back” like Dani Alves while at Barcelona. However, I prefer to call him a playmaker, because he seems to be free to set the tempo, move the ball, and even create opportunities.
More or less like Thiago Alcantara’s role when he is fit, but in a fast tempo version. Instead of being called an “inverted wing back”, the new role of this dreadlocked player is more like a “deep-lying playmaker”.
The reason is that he is often on par with Fabinho in the defensive midfield post. This position is not flashy, but makes it freely creative, like a topnotch playmaker.
From here, Liverpool’s midfield has recently become more alive, thanks to the delivery of precise baits and assists. The Kop’s last six wins cannot be separated from this change, because he managed to make 5 assists.
The bright light of Trent Alexander-Arnold seems to be a temporary answer to the problem in the Reds’ midfield, which happens to be undergoing a major overhaul.
As is known, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita will leave at the end of the season, with names of the caliber of Alexis MacAllister, Ryan Gravenberch and Mason Mount on the radar.
Refreshment in the attack kitchen sector really needs to be done, because senior players like Fabinho and Jordan Henderson are getting old, and Thiago is injured quite often.
If Juergen Klopp’s “engine change” plan goes well, Liverpool’s midfield will be very interesting, because apart from having a fighting midfielder, they also have a creative midfielder, who will make the team’s attack variations more lively.
However, since Trent Alexander-Arnold has proven to shine in his new position, the German coach seems to be starting to secure the position of the player in the middle.
Instead, young players like Calvin Ramsay and Stefan Bajcetic, who have started to be trusted to play, can be polished. Thus, we will see a fresher Liverpool next season.
For this season, with all the problems that exist, being able to qualify for Europe alone is good for Liverpool, because they are still fighting using a midfield that has begun to “run out” in performance at the top level.
Regarding how Liverpool’s midfield will look and perform next season, everything will be largely determined by how smoothly the new players adapt, and how free this team is from injury problems. The smoother and injury-free, the more dangerous.
ASL
