Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Real Madrid soon, but his position is still being debated, and Jurgen Klopp made clear he was never a fan of the Liverpool defender being used in midfield
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Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave his boyhood club this summer(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Jurgen Klopp previously voiced his disapproval of using Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield, stating that the "best right-back in the world" should play in his strongest position. This rant, which was over the player's role with England, from the ex-Liverpool manager acts as a warning to Real Madrid ahead of Alexander-Arnold's expected switch to the Spanish club.
Earlier this month, the 26-year-old announced his emotional departure from the club he has supported and played for all his life in favour of a widely publicised move to Madrid to work under their new manager Xabi Alonso.
Rumours over Alexander-Arnold's future intentions had increased throughout the season as his contract ran down, while his team-mates Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk signed extensions to their deals as the campaign came to a close.
Opting not to prolong his time with his childhood team, the right-back will now leave Anfield to embark on a fresh chapter. With Alonso taking the reins at Madrid, the new manager faces the challenge of deciding where best to deploy Alexander-Arnold, who has shown versatility on the field.
The 2024/25 Premier League champion has predominantly played as a right-back, notching up an impressive 23 goals and providing 92 assists in that position for Liverpool. However, Alexander-Arnold had some success in the midfield during his tenure under former England head coach Gareth Southgate.
Alexander-Arnold had notable success in the midfield for his country, scoring two goals and providing four assists across several matches, including against San Marino, Malta, North Macedonia, and Bosnia. However, former Liverpool manager Klopp disagreed with this positional switch at the time.
Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Trent Alexander-Arnold bid an emotional farewell to Liverpool fans on Sunday(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League)
Following an international break in 2021, Klopp expressed his discontent with the decision to play Alexander-Arnold out of his natural position.
At the time, he ranted: "In this game, in a game where England are that dominant for example, or that we are that dominant that Trent could play in midfield, I would rather he was the six than in this case the eight.
"That is possible but why would you make the best right-back in the world a midfielder? I don't understand that really. As if the right-back position is not as important as the others. People who say that I struggle to understand how you could think that.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp with Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Jurgen Klopp previously voiced his concerns about Trent Alexander-Arnold's position on the pitch
"If you watch our games then you will see that Trent's position has already changed. Not in all the games but in games where it is possible, so there is no need to now make him a midfield player. It is a little bit a shame that we talk in 2021 like this about football. Players play everywhere, especially good players."
Klopp praised Alexander-Arnold's influence on the game from his traditional right-back role and stated his intention to utilise him in the "right position" whenever possible during his time at Anfield. He added: "Trent on the right wing was already everywhere on the pitch. Some people think that because he plays 10 yards further up the pitch he would be more influential.
"Being more influential than Trent Alexander-Arnold in the last, I don't know, how many years he has played for me is really tricky.
Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has excelled in many roles on the pitch(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League)
"It would mean I would have to have a proper look to find somebody. He plays the right position, we adapt and try and use his skills absolutely, but in the end the right-back is the one who defends the right side and he is doing that really well. All the rest when we have the ball, we use him as good as we can."
With Alexander-Arnold's versatility proving beneficial, new manager Alonso must consider his options. This comes as rumours about the player's potential move to Madrid in time for the FIFA Club World Cup in June continue to intensify.
While many anticipate Alexander-Arnold competing with Dani Carvajal for the right-back spot, a wing-back role may be another option.
Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool with a lasting legacy at the club
At his previous club Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso often deployed formations like 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1, suggesting Alexander-Arnold might even fit into a more attacking position at Madrid.
In addition, Alexander-Arnold's stint as a midfielder for England saw him tally up goals and assists, hinting that this could be another avenue explored by his prospective new team.
Although neither Alexander-Arnold nor the club have confirmed a move to Madrid, the Premier League champion will now depart Anfield with a wealth of achievements and trophies to his name.