Trent Alexander-Arnold: The Underappreciated Playmaker at Liverpool

Liverpool’s season has seen remarkable performances from several key players, with Trent Alexander-Arnold continuing to impress both club and country. In a recent episode of Stat Me Up on Anfield Index, Ben Bocsak and Dave Davis discussed how Alexander-Arnold’s outstanding form has not only strengthened Liverpool’s start but has also caught the eye of England interim manager Lee Carsley.

Sensational Form on the International Stage

As Bocsak highlighted, Alexander-Arnold’s performances during the international break have been nothing short of sensational. In England’s match against Finland, Alexander-Arnold created five chances, making him the only English player to achieve this feat in three matches since 2019. This statistic alone “shows how underappreciated he has been,” Bocsak pointed out. Despite critics questioning his role in England’s national team, the stats reveal a player who dominates creatively, particularly in his midfield positioning.

Beyond just chance creation, Alexander-Arnold’s passing accuracy was remarkable. In the Finland game, he completed 18 passes into the final third—more than any other player on the field. Bocsak added that he “averaged around 100 passes per game,” including 94 passes against Ireland, making him one of the most influential players in both games.

Underappreciation by Southgate

One of the more perplexing aspects of Alexander-Arnold’s international career has been his underutilisation by previous England manager Gareth Southgate, a point of frustration for Liverpool fans and analysts alike. As Davis mentioned, Southgate’s reluctance to make him a central figure in the squad is baffling, given his consistent performances. Despite playing 180 minutes for England during the break, Liverpool supporters might be concerned about the wear and tear on one of their key players. However, Davis suggested that “maybe Southgate still being in charge might have actually been a good thing” for the player, acknowledging the trust the England manager now seems to be placing in him.

Alexander-Arnold’s Future at Liverpool

On the club side, the stats and eye test confirm what Liverpool fans have known for years: Alexander-Arnold is crucial to Liverpool’s attacking style. His ability to play long, accurate balls from deep positions remains unparalleled, as seen in his “delicious ball through to Anthony Gordon” during international duty, as noted by Davis. This play, along with many others, demonstrates why he is so pivotal to Liverpool’s success.

In the current Liverpool system under Arne Slot, Alexander-Arnold is playing still playing a hybrid role but perhaps now more structured than fluid than the Klopp days. His dominance on the ball, particularly when transitioning from defense to attack, has been a focal point in Slot’s strategy. As Bocsak noted, “Alexander-Arnold is not just standing out, but also creating more chances for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Luis Díaz.”

The Challenge Ahead for Liverpool

As Liverpool gears up for their next Premier League match against Nottingham Forest, Alexander-Arnold will once again be crucial in breaking down a defensively solid team. Bocsak pointed out that Forest has had a strong start to the season, especially in defense, ranking just behind Manchester City in expected goals conceded. Liverpool’s success will depend heavily on Alexander-Arnold’s ability to unlock Forest’s compact defense.

With Harvey Elliott injured and Alexis Mac Allister returning from international duty with Argentina, there are concerns over squad rotation. However, as Ben Bocsak emphasised, Alexander-Arnold’s form and fitness will be key to keeping Liverpool’s title aspirations alive during this busy period.