Trent Alexander-Arnold ‘doesn’t receive enough recognition for’ a quality that Steven Gerrard, a Liverpool icon, has mentioned, and Kevin de Bruyne, a Man City star, is in a similar situation.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, a star for Liverpool, excelled for England during the most recent international break, earning player of the match honors in the win over Malta and contributing an assist in the destruction of North Macedonia.
By using Alexander-Arnold as a regular midfielder, a position Steven Gerrard believes he should hold for the long term, Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate may have provided Alexander-Arnold with a long-awaited path into the starting lineup.
“I think he’s better with a right back behind him,” Gerrard said on Channel 4 punditry duties. “That’s better for Trent as it takes the defensive responsibility away from him.”
Jürgen Klopp has thus far deployed Alexander-Arnold in a hybrid role, using him in a double midfield pivot when Liverpool has the ball and, as is traditional, a right-back when it doesn’t
But the new system could well evolve, and if Alexander-Arnold is to become a right-sided number eight instead, then he’s bound to compared to Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.
The duo have already featured in discussions over the best passers and best playmakers in the Premier League, but operating in the same position, they would be seen as direct counterparts.
Beyond the creativity, there is another trait the duo may share; one that Gerrard himself pointed to on Monday when discussing Alexander-Arnold.
“People don’t give him enough credit for his power and his pace,” the Reds legend said, and he may have a point.
The 24-year-old clocked a top speed of 33.3 km/h (20.7 mph) in last season’s Champions League, quicker than any of the midfielders in Liverpool’s squad.
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