There isn’t any query that Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s imminent return to motion represents a significant increase to Liverpool’s hopes of additional glory this season.
However it’s also truthful to say that occasions in his absence have solely served to reignite the controversy over which place Jurgen Klopp can be finest served to deploy him in.
Previous to Alexander-Arnold’s current knee harm, it appeared the query over his function had been emphatically answered by each his kind and that of the workforce as a complete.
For starters, Liverpool virtually salvaged a forgettable 2022/23 marketing campaign by releasing up the 25-year-old in April final 12 months, successful seven and drawing three of their ultimate 10 fixtures.
And that enchancment sustained into this season, as proven by the truth that the Reds just lately performed their thirty eighth sport since their change of system having picked up extra factors than every other workforce in that interval barring Man Metropolis (each 88).
Why, then, would anybody counsel ripping up the tactical blueprint that has introduced such good outcomes?
Properly, it’s price noting that, throughout the 14 video games Alexander-Arnold has missed by means of his knee drawback and its recurrence, Liverpool have posted 11 wins, two attracts, and only one defeat.
It’s a return that means their resurgence this time period is a results of a number of elements, moderately than a easy tweak of place for considered one of their key males.
What’s extra, the type of his alternative, Conor Bradley, has been eye-catching sufficient to make the case that Klopp doesn’t essentially have to be wed to asking his right-back to play in a sure manner.
Clearly, it might be insanity to assert that the 20-year-old is a greater participant than a person who has gained each honour out there throughout his time as Liverpool’s right-back.
However, even accounting for a small pattern measurement and the final tendency to overstate Alexander-Arnold’s weak spot on this entrance, Bradley has proven indicators of being superior in particular defensive components of the sport.
Within the Premier League this season, the Northern Irishman has gained the next share of tackles (84.2% to 67.9%), duels (57.9% to 45.9%), and has been dribbled previous much less often per 90 minutes (1.81 to 2.6).
After all, all this may be caveated with the truth that he’s not within the class of his fellow right-back in possession, with Alexander-Arnold fairly merely probably the greatest passers of the ball in world soccer.
But that will get to the crux of the dialogue over what Klopp needs from his right-back and whether or not the trade-offs required are fully price it.
With regards to Alexander-Arnold beginning there, it might be an utter waste to not ask him to stroll into midfield at each alternative with the intention to make full use of his great passing vary.
However that comes with drawbacks, particularly a gaping gap in his nominal place that may be exploited in turnover, leading to an over-reliance on Ibrahima Konate‘s potential to cowl massive areas.
In contrast, every time Joe Gomez or Bradley have been deployed at right-back, this inversion has been far much less pronounced, with each males merely requested to choose their moments to make an additional man within the center.
And, on the floor no less than, this has made Liverpool really feel much more defensively safe than after they have constantly requested a member of their again 4 to vacate his place.
Admittedly, it’s arduous to think about Klopp ditching this setup – or, certainly, the phrases of a wager with Pep Lijnders that began this experiment – forward of a run-in wherein two extra trophies are at stake.
However with a brand new supervisor coming on this summer time and Liverpool having just lately proven they’ll win another way, it might properly be that Alexander-Arnold is getting ready for his final outings within the place he has referred to as house for therefore lengthy.
