Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is only twenty years of age, but is already setting records and seeing himself into the PFA Team of the Year.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has managed to get seventeen assists and one goal across all competitions this year, which slots him in as one of the best if not the best attacking full-backs in Europe. His twelve assists in the Premier League are unmatched only to Eden Hazard and Ryan Fraser who have more, and teammate Andy Robertson who has one less.
His defensive pose as a youngster is sterling, and his offensive prowess is truly Gerrard-esque, which raises the question. What is Trent Alexander-Arnold’s full potential? Will he live up to the hype and become a midfielder, following in the steps of Liverpool legend and skipper Steven Gerrard? Or will he solidify his place in the team at right back and remain there for the time being?
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It is truly tough to say, but one thing for certain is that his passing, pace and leg screams for him to become an attacking midfielder. Not to mention the scouser can hit a free kick like its nothing as well. His defending is solid, and respected by his peers but it is his service and offense that really makes him stand out in the position.
When TAA is injured, you often see Mo Salah struggle down the wing. Salah and Alexander-Arnold have such a good chemistry, that Salah needs him to combine with and whip balls in, to take the pressure off himself. Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino also live off those deep balls into the box, and with Liverpool’s aerial threat, balls coming in from the right are deadly for opposing defenses.
The problem with moving the English full-back is that Jurgen Klopp does not have a proper replacement that can do his job. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has proved he is better as an attacking midfielder once released from the shackles of Arsene Wenger. James Milner is aging, and defense is starting to suit him less and less as attackers become quicker, and lastly, Joe Gomez has proved himself as a better center half.
Unless, Ki-Jana Hoever or Rafa Camacho can develop faster, it looks like Trent will have to stick out the test at right back. However, to be getting in the PFA Team of the Year at twenty years old, he cannot be doing too bad of a job.