Liverpool and England star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been watching a host of top Premier League midfielders in a bid to learn more about playing in a central position
Tent Alexander-Arnold has revealed that he is taking notes from a host of top midfielders as he continues to adapt to his new hybrid role for club and country.
The Liverpool academy graduate, 25, has been playing as a midfielder for the Reds this season in possession and his usual right-back role when the opposition have the ball.
And Alexander-Arnold was deployed in a similar role for England during their 1-0 win over Australia on Friday night.
After struggling to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s plans at right-back, the England manager has hinted that Alexander-Arnold could be in line for a bigger role in midfield.
And Alexander-Arnold is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to getting to grips with the new demands which have been placed upon him.
Speaking to Channel 4 after the Australia game, Alexander Arnold said: “I have always felt I play the game a little differently than anyone else.
It is hard to find people who play the game how I do, with my skill set.
“I take little bits from different people. [Kevin] De Bruyne is someone I look at massively, James Maddison is exceptional at receiving the ball in tight spaces.
Even just sharing the training pitch with Jude [Bellingham] and Declan [Rice], I am watching what they are doing and I can learn from them.
I ask them questions and have no shame in that, even though they are younger than me. If it makes me a better player then I will be laughing in the end.”
It was Alexander-Arnold’s first-time ball which led to England’s winning goal, with Jack Grealish’s scuffed shot diverted home by the in-form Ollie Watkins at the far post.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold has played in a new hybrid role for Liverpool and England this season..
Despite Alexander-Arnold’s improved performances this season, people have still questioned whether he is best suited to a midfield role or if he should remain as a right-back.
The man himself, though, is adamant that it doesn’t matter where he plays. He added: “I don’t know [my best position].
It is not so much if I am a midfielder or a full-back, it doesn’t matter. I am a player who wants to control the tempo and I need to be on the ball as much as possible to do that.”
Alexander-Arnold will be hoping to retain his place on Tuesday, when England host Italy in a Euro 2024 qualifier.
The Three Lions will be out to avenge their defeat to the Italians in the Euro 2020 final, which the Azzurri won on penalties.
