‘It is a big step’ – Jurgen Klopp clarifies on Trent Alexander-Arnold change of position for Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp has explained his decision to utilize Trent Alexander-Arnold as an inverted fullback during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
The Reds overcame a 2-0 deficit to earn a draw against the Gunners, with the England international assisting Roberto Firmino’s late equalizer.
The 24-year-old pushed inside alongside Fabinho as a second deeper midfielder in front of a back three of Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson. Rather than bombarding down the right flank for the majority of the game.
This formation is comparable to those utilized by Manchester City and Arsenal. And while Klopp would insist this is not the first time Liverpool has utilized Alexander-Arnold in this manner, he admitted it was more obvious against the Gunners and it would take his team more time to adjust to such a strategy.
“Yeah, it’s not the first time,” he told reporters. “We did that before but maybe it was not that obvious.
“We did that before, where we put Trent inside. Today in the build-up, Trent played more inside. Double six, that’s how it is.
“We need to get used to it, obviously. I would say it is a big step to do that in a game against Arsenal.
“It opened up different opportunities for us. If you watch it back you will see that it will have to be learned when to use it. Hendo was not wide, stayed inside. Then we could really pass first pass down to Mo. Mo kept the ball really well today and we could go from there.
“I thought he did well. It was not the first time, but not for a while we executed it.”
‘It is a big step’ – Jurgen Klopp clarifies on Trent Alexander-Arnold change of position for Liverpool
