Since Liverpool changed their formation, Trent Alexander-Arnold has been used in a hybrid position.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank reckons Trent Alexander-Arnold has a bright future in midfield as the star continues to shine in his hybrid position for Liverpool.

Alexander-Arnold provided two assists for his Liverpool teammates during the stunning 6-1 win over Leeds United in the Premier League on Monday night. Goals from January signing Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah (2), Diogo Jota (2) and Darwin Nunez settled the scores in that game.

But their teammate was the one who truly stood out. Alexander-Arnold has been given more freedom in his new position as central midfielder as Liverpool switches from their 4-3-3 starting configuration to a 3-2-2-3 when they have the ball.

Alexander-Arnold has flourished there, much like his English teammate John Stones, in the Manchester City squad as Klopp works to utilize his flair in central areas. Frank, whose squad will play Liverpool in a match next month, gushed over the 24-year-old and his abilities and said the decision was warranted.

“I was sitting here thinking maybe play him as a right-back, but when they are in possession play him as a six or an eight,” Frank said to Premier League Productions. Play him there [at right back] against a team they are confident they will control and dominate, but play him in midfield against stronger opponents.

“I believe Trent’s future is in the middle of the field. I am aware of their intentions and their desire to play. He is active in many ways.

There are many so-called experts who believe Trent should improve his defense, not me, Frank continued. It also has something to do with Liverpool’s style of play, which makes them – in my opinion – unplayable when they are at the top. They have constantly shown to be among the finest teams in the globe.

“But he is there so advanced, and they have to defend such wide gaps. Trent and Andrew Robertson never found themselves in a one-on-one scenario throughout the Leeds game, according to Jurgen. There is always doubling up and assistance available. I believe that is also important.

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How Liverpool could line up in a new formation after four dream signings in the summer

Liverpool have shelved plans to target Borussia Dortmund and England sensation Jude Bellingham but will be very busy in the summer transfer

Liverpool have put on hold plans to target Borussia Dortmund and England sensation Jude Bellingham when the transfer market reopens.

Speculation about the generational talent and his future with the Bundesliga has been as much talked about as proposals to revamp Anfield’s engine room. However, after being reported at the top of Bellingham’s tidy signing queue, Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool will now look elsewhere.

The Liverpool ECHO understands that the Premier League giants have decided it’s better to spread money across multiple signings than to allocate the majority of the budget to one big cash arrival.

Therefore, interest in 19-year-old Bellingham has clearly cooled down. So what’s next for Klopp and the recruitment team? Well, although they avoid Bellingham – at least during the next summer transfer window – the midfielder will still be the primary focus and several top names have been linked in that regard ahead of the proposed moves.

From the Premier League only, you can note Mason Mount (Chelsea), Youri Tielemans (Leicester City), Ruben Neves (Wolves), Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton) as possible targets, with Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella among the Alternatives is carrying on business elsewhere in Europe.

As it stands, Tielemans is set to become a free agent but could lack intensity for a Klopp side, while Mount and Neves are in a contractual stalemate with their current employers as the two have no only 14 months to finalize their agreements. Caicedo, Mac Allister and Barella would each cost a pretty penny – but not on the same scale as Bellingham, who would be valued by Dortmund in the £130m category.

While this might be a price worth paying, by spreading the budget Liverpool would be able to sign two or three quality midfielders who would each add something different to the squad. Additionally, Klopp and the recruiting team could also invest some money in another versatile centre-back.

As further on, any signing could depend on expenses. Meanwhile, when it comes to this new hybrid lineup that Klopp has been unleashing in recent games, there is room for Trent Alexander-Arnold to make a permanent move into the engine room.

In that scenario, all defensive recruits should be comfortable in threes or fours, so perhaps someone like Ajax prospect Jurrien Timber could be followed.

Here’s how Liverpool could line up next season if they sign Timber, Caicedo, Barella and Mount during the summer window.

Liverpool FC (3-2-2-3 formation): Alisson; Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Alexander Arnold, Caicedo; Barella, mountain; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.