--- title: "Opinion: Should Alexander-Arnold end up in midfield?" canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/opinion-should-alexander-arnold-end-up-in-midfield/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Henry Jackson" section: "Articles" published: "2020-02-12T21:00:00Z" modified: "2020-02-12T21:00:00Z" --- # Opinion: Should Alexander-Arnold end up in midfield? This time four years ago, few non-Liverpool supporters would likely have known who Trent Alexander-Arnold was. Fast forward to the present day and he is now one of the Premier League’s most talented, recognisable faces, following an incredible rise. Since making his Liverpool debut in 2016, Alexander-Arnold has gone on to make [119 appearances](https://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/1311), scoring six goals along the way. Not only is he fulfilling his dream of playing for his boyhood club, but at 21, he is already viewed as one of the [leading right-backs](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/gallery/ranked-10-best-right-backs-world) in the world. It is perhaps not common knowledge that Alexander-Arnold has not always played in that role, however, having once been a box-to-box academy central [midfielder](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTxz-w8Dsbk) in the mould of Steven Gerrard/ [Trent Alexander-Arnold In Midfield? Watch This! (embedded)](https://www.youtube.com/embed/LTxz-w8Dsbk?feature=oembed) It was in that position where Alexander-Arnold really caught the eye, displaying his vision and athleticism on a regular basis. Although the youngster has made the right-back spot his own at Liverpool, there is still a niggling feeling that a midfield role could suit him best further down line. In fairness, it is a tough call. On one hand, there seems no point in moving a player who is arguably his side’s most influential figure, in terms of his [creative output](https://www.football365.com/news/top-ten-assist-men-of-2019-alexander-arnold-close). Jamie Carragher has [said](https://talksport.com/football/613590/jamie-carragher-trent-alexander-arnold-liverpool-midfielders-kevin-de-bruyne/) that Alexander-Arnold is like having Kevin De Bruyne at right-back, which is high praise indeed. Changing a winning formula feels risky, especially with the West Derby-born star still at an age where he will mature further. On the flip side, could Alexander-Arnold become an even greater influence in the middle of the park? Both Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum turn 30 years of age this year, so it might no be long until there are potential vacancies in Liverpool’s midfield. With Fabinho anchoring in the No.6 role, Alexander-Arnold could flourish further forward, perhaps thriving alongside Naby Keita in the long-term, assuming the Guinean can rid himself of injuries and reach his top level at Anfield. We saw how dominant Gerrard could be in attacking midfield, and while comparing anyone to possibly the [greatest]() Liverpool player of all time is a risk, Alexander-Arnold does possess similar attributes. He can pick a pass, drive at defenders and inspire others around him, as he used to do so regularly at youth team level. When push comes to shove, however, I would keep Alexander-Arnold at right-back for the foreseeable future, if not forever. He has been playing extraordinarily well there, and with the midfield seemingly tasked with being industrious more than anything under Klopp, his magic could get lost a little in that area. Frankly, it is a lovely headache for the manager to have.