07 January 2024 , 20:15
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insisted Trent Alexander-Arnold impressed in a variety of positions against Arsenal, after pundit Martin Keown suggested the right-back prefers playing in midfield.
Alexander-Arnold captained the Reds as they won at the Emirates Stadium, with Virgil van Dijk missing out through injury. And the academy graduate played his part in the opening goal, with his tantalising free-kick headed beyond Aaron Ramsdale by Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior.
After the game, former Arsenal man Keown argued the Liverpool number 66 belonged in midfield. Klopp, however, didn't feel the need to pigeonhole his player.
"Play Alexander-Arnold in the midfield, that's where he wants to be," Keown said on the BBC's coverage of the match. "You wouldn't play [Steven] Gerrard at right-back."
Klopp was asked about his captain-for-the-day in his post-match interview. While he recognised the goal wouldn't go to Alexander-Arnold, there was still room for praise.
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"It's an own goal right? Like the free-kick against Fulham," he added. "What a game he played by the way in all the positions he played. You see his class on the ball."
What is Trent Alexander-Arnold's best position? Have your say in the comments section
Trent Alexander-Arnold captained Liverpool against Arsenal (Getty Images)Liverpool are back in action in midweek, taking on Fulham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final. However, Klopp appeared pleased to have avoided an FA Cup replay - especially with a number of enforced changes.
"I'm super proud. It's a super difficult draw," the former Borussia Dortmund boss said. "Maybe the most difficult we could have got.
"With all the things we had to consider coming here, Arsenal lined up slightly different, that was smart. We changed a bit at half-time. We were really in the game in the second half. We scored the goals and brought the kids on. We fought for 95 minutes. We have a winter break now."
Jakub Kiwior's own goal came from an Alexander-Arnold free-kick (Getty Images)Alexander-Arnold moved into a hybrid role for his club towards the tail end of last season, while he has moved into midfield more regularly on England duty. And, while Klopp appears to see a future for him at full-back, the player has his own theories about what lies ahead.
“I think that's [midfield] probably the path and the route that I'm on," Alexander-Arnold told The Echo in December. "Ultimately, not my decision, but I enjoy playing in the middle of the pitch and just want to help the team win games, to be honest.”
Back in June, England boss Gareth Southgate gave his own thoughts on the matter. "I’ve got no questions in my head whether he can do it," Southgate said after a victory against Malta. "It’s learning certain nuances of the role, without the ball especially, but he’s very keen to do it, he’s enjoyed the project."