Trent Alexander-Arnold’s reinvention and the tactical move that sparked Liverpool’s revival
The IndependentSign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. When Arsenal last visited Anfield, in April, Trent Alexander-Arnold had been an unused substitute for Liverpool’s previous match, a stalemate with Chelsea. Some seven months earlier, after the 4-1 demolition by Napoli, Klopp had spoken of needing to reinvent Liverpool: when he did, it was with an idea that both borrowed from Manchester City – given John Stones’s hybrid role as defender and midfielder, allowing a team to build up with two players in front of the back three but defend with a quartet – and drew upon Alexander-Arnold’s unique talents. You can see it in how he plays; breaking up the play, getting the team up the pitch and a lot of the dirty work.” Arsenal were City’s closest challengers for the title last season. open image in gallery Alexander-Arnold is more involved in the centre of the pitch now for Liverpool “It is rare for a team to come out of the blue and win the league,” Alexander-Arnold argues.