Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp have unlocked mouthwatering weapon only Kevin De Bruyne can best

Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp have unlocked a mouth-watering weapon that only Kevin De Bruyne and another playmaker can beat

Trent Alexander-Arnold has assisted two goals in his last two games and one aspect of the moves show the value of his change of position that Liverpool can capitalize on.

After a season spent largely moaning and whining about Liverpool’s midfield, supporters were reeling from the tactical possibilities offered by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s change of position. He doesn’t end the debate over whether the 24-year-old should remain at right-back or move to midfield permanently, but has suggested he could fill both roles simultaneously.

In their games with Arsenal and Leeds, the Reds utilized something of a 3-2-5 system in possession, with Alexander-Arnold joining Fabinho in the centre-pair, while Andy Robertson formed a back three with the pair of central defence.

You’ve probably seen some of the ridiculous stats Liverpool’s No. 66 has been able to post from this new position at Elland Road. According to OptaJoe, Alexander-Arnold has become just the fourth player to have at least two assists and 100+ passes with over 90 per cent accuracy since Premier League records began in 2003, according to the report. album.

The funny thing is that it was one of his 12 bad passes that indirectly led to the first goal. The England international played the ball forward but when it was picked up by Junior Firpo, Alexander-Arnold was able to collect the ball, move forward and eventually assist Cody Gakpo in much the same way as the pair combined against Everton.

The second goal scored by the Liverpool right-back on Monday night was also somewhat familiar. From relatively close to the center circle, Alexander-Arnold played a diagonal pass which allowed Darwin Núñez to score, as he did against Wolves and Newcastle. Only two Liverpool combinations have scored more goals this season and Alexander-Arnold can find the Uruguayan more often from his changed position.

Alexander-Arnold may also be in space in the central regions, opening up another interesting avenue. Whilst the center of the pitch is clearly congested at times, if the opposition are defending deep against Liverpool, as they usually are, there could be some prime real estate available for the Reds’ sharpest passer.

Revisit Núñez’s goal at Leeds. Alexander-Arnold received the ball in the center circle and then carried it forward to find a better angle for the pass to Núñez. It was far from the most exciting dribble you’ve ever seen, although Georginio Rutter held up well. Far more pleasing to the eye was the way the Liverpool defender embarrassed Oleksandr Zinchenko in front of the Kop before assisting Roberto Firmino against Arsenal.

It is in the nature of football data that two very different actions can be captured as identical, and that is the case here. Either way, Alexander-Arnold carried the ball at least five yards before scoring a goal, as he had earlier in the campaign at Brentford and Newcastle. His tally of four assists per carries is third in the Premier League this season, behind Kevin De Bruyne (with six) and Dejan Kulusevski (five), according to Opta Analyst.

With this pair creating around three times the chances of a carry, it’s fair to wonder if Alexander-Arnold was lucky enough to rack up the assists he got from them. But while teammate completion determines creative outcomes, in all four cases Opta rated the odds as clear, meaning you expect the player taking the shot to score.

It’s also interesting to see who else has an average carry distance of less than 10 yards – Trent comes in at 9.15 – while assisting at least two goals on those runs of at least five yards: Cheick Doucouré, Christian Eriksen and Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg. This is clearly the domain of central midfielders and Alexander-Arnold shows he can dribble the ball and help his teammates with the best of them. The tactical potential of his last shift is delicious.

Also.. 

Liverpool are now focused on signing the full-back in a surprise turn of events

Liverpool have been focused on signing a new senior right-back this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

Jurgen Klopp has used long-serving first-choice right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in an inverted role in the last two games, pushing him into midfield.

The Reds boss is believed to want to use Alexander-Arnold more often in midfield and believes the team will need to add another full-back to do so.

As quoted by the Liverpool Echo (April 10), Klopp says he has to “get used to” using the 24-year-old more often in the reverse full-back position.

It comes as a surprise given that Klopp has previously hailed Alexander-Arnold as ‘the best right-back in Europe’ and recently insisted he is a ‘world-class’ defender. The Merseysiders are preparing for a massive midfield overhaul ahead of the next window.

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After pulling out of the race for Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham over the price, the Reds turned their attention to cheaper and more viable alternatives.
On Tuesday April 18, Football Insider revealed that the Liverpool board had prepared and approved a deal for Chelsea star Mason Mount to sign more England internationals.

Earlier this month (April 7), sources told this website that the Reds are also pushing to sign midfielder Matheus Nunes from Wolves and could land him for £50million after signing off. a release clause in his contract.

Klopp is also a set of midfielders offloaded this summer, with Fabio Carvalho being the latest name to emerge this summer.