Ray Houghton names Liverpool formation to get best out of Alexander-Arnold

Ben Stewart
Trent Alexander-Arnold during Liverpool v Chelsea in August 2021

After England manager Gareth Southgate experimented with Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield against Andorra, there has been plenty of discussion over where he is best utilised.

Former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton believes that the 22-year-old is still best suited to being a full-back.

“For me, he’s the best attacking right back in the modern game,” Ray Houghton told Paddy Power. “I heard about Trent playing in midfield for England and I used to play centre forward when I was younger. However, that doesn’t mean that you’re going to make that transformation when it comes to playing regularly in the first team. It’s a different skill set.

“He’s so used to being on the wing that playing in a more central role, he might struggle a little bit. Liverpool have enough players in that department not to worry about it. ”

Alexander-Arnold has had an excellent individual start to the new Premier League season, as he has already registered two assists and he has made more key passes than any other player in the league with 20 so far.

Alexander-Arnold could be a wing-back

Liverpool looking at Roberto Firmino replacement?

Liverpool looking at Roberto Firmino replacement?

Liverpool are back with some more transfer rumours, and there seems to be a trend forming of them looking for young promising strikers and midfielders.

Houghton thinks Liverpool could use Alexander-Arnold as a wing-back, however. And in doing so, they could get even more from him in an attacking sense.

“If Liverpool had the personnel, they could play with three centre halves. Then Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold as wing-backs would be absolutely extraordinary.

“There’s no doubt they do their best work when they go forward. You just have to look at the number of goals that they’ve created in the last few seasons.

“His vision and awareness, his ability to deliver balls into the box is absolutely exceptional. He obviously has goals in him as well.”


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