Liverpool: Klopp reflects on 5-1 win against Arsenal
That is the claim from Martin Keown on BT Sport.
The 20-year-old produced another accomplished display despite the threat of Alex Iwobi as Liverpool thumped Arsenal 5-1 at Anfield to increase their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points yesterday.
Alexander-Arnold has only been a consistent presence in Jurgen Klopp’s starting line-up from February onwards, having enjoyed an excellent second-half of last season.
Previously he had rotated on the right side of defence with Joe Gomez, but the local-born academy graduate has now made the spot his own and his form has earned him a consistent place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
Alexander-Arnold - who finished second only to Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt of 100 players to contend for the 2018 Golden Boy award - was a central midfielder when he played in Liverpool’s youth ranks.
But having been re-shaped into a full-back for the first team, Arsenal defender Keown thinks that as he continues to develop he could end up reverting back to his old position.
And the pundit believes the England international has similar attributes to Liverpool legend Gerrard, who made his name as an all-action box-to-box midfielder at Anfield, and could therefore take up a similar role.
Keown told Premier League Tonight on BT Sport: “We were just talking about he’s the best young right-back in the world, he’s not even in England is he?
Could Trent Alexander-Arnold emulate Steven Gerrard by moving into midfield? (Image: GETTY)
Trent Alexander-Arnold was impressive again against Arsenal (Image: GETTY)
Trent Alexander-Arnold has grown into a major player for Liverpool (Image: GETTY)
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I think we’ll see him more advanced, maybe in a midfield role as time goes on
Martin Keown
“He’s third choice and is he really third choice? I think actually we should find another position for him.
“I think he could play in the central midfield role for England. I see Gerrard in him. He’s in this team as right back but there’s more to the player.
“I think we’ll see him more advanced, maybe in a midfield role as time goes on. He’s a wonderful talent, he can play anywhere.
“He really has got an awful lot to his game and he reminds me of Gerrard as a youngster. Perhaps midfield will be the position.
“Maybe Southgate should find a role for him, we haven’t got a dearth of midfield players that could do that, the pace that he has, the vision for passes.
Steven Gerrard was a world-class midfielder in his time at Liverpool (Image: GETTY)
Gareth Southgate should experiment with Trent Alexander-Arnold, says Keown (Image: GETTY)
“If he could be moulded into that position, Southgate is an outstanding manager and can give him the messages he needs.”
But when asked whether he considered himself the best young right-back in the world, Alexander-Arnold batted away such suggestions. He said: “It’s probably not my opinion to have.
“It’s just [up to me] to give everything I have for the team, go out there and do a job at the end of the day.
“It’s not about the individuals, it’s about the team. They’re the things that wins titles and trophies and our aim is to bring silverware to Anfield.”