It took less than three minutes of Liverpool's win over Fulham on Sunday for Trent Alexander-Arnold to display the unique qualities that have made him such an important part of Jurgen Klopp's side.
90 seconds later, a probing pass from deep in the Reds' own half found Luis Diaz almost on the back foot. Shortly after that, there was another one that spotted him in space on the right. Then, from the opposite goal, a perfect cross was just centimeters from the Colombian who should have scored.
Alexander-Arnold's most memorable contribution was, of course, the stunning free-kick that later broke the deadlock at Craven Cottage.
But the stunning opener, in his first Premier League start since February following a knee injury, was just one aspect of a performance that showed the potential for change upon his return.
“It's very important,” Klopp said afterwards of the 24-year-old's return. “One of the shooting stars this season was Conor Bradley. He played that position and played in some games where we all thought, 'Wow, what was that?'” But Trent There's no one like me.
”no one It's similar to Trent. ”
Certainly, no one can replicate his interpretation of the right-back role in this team. Alexander-Arnold's appearance in midfield is nothing new. But it was something to see him take on so many different positions against Fulham.
Consider the early pass towards Diaz.
The first involved possession from the right side of Liverpool's back three, with left-back Andrew Robertson forced forward on the opposite flank. There's nothing unusual there.
However, the second shot came from the center of the back three, swapping positions with right-sided centre-back Jarrell Quansah, who took on a role similar to that of a quarterback.
This exchange of positions with Quansah during possession became a hallmark of Liverpool's performance that day, and its aim was to maximize Alexander-Arnold's influence.
done. Alexander-Arnold now has more time with the ball and has a wider range of options to target. Despite missing the final 10 minutes and stoppage time, he was involved in more open-play passing sequences than anyone else on the pitch, according to Opta's advanced metrics.
“The coach told me to get into that position to get on the ball and find a pass over the top,” Alexander-Arnold explained. sky sports after that.
But it wasn't just long passes. He sometimes played shortstop instead. In the example below, in the 16th minute, he threaded a cleverly disguised pass to Dias, who also drifted inside, allowing Liverpool to break through the middle.
Yet, despite often playing in his new position at the team's home base, Alexander-Arnold still found time to move around in midfield to maintain pressure, move towards the right flank and from there early on. It created a brilliant opportunity. Diaz.
“I have described him in the past as similar to right-back Kevin De Bruyne,” he said. sky sports Later critic Jamie Carragher. “Today I look at him and think he has a free role.
“I think a lot of full-backs have a role in that midfield position, where they go there and win the ball and try to stop counter-attacks, but this one allows him to get in between. For a centre-back, he can go midfield, he can go wide.
“He's so good with the ball that he can basically go anywhere there's space.”
His quality of possession was particularly useful just after half-time against Fulham, when the hosts were looking for Timothy Castagne's equalizer in first-half stoppage time.
Liverpool needed composure to swing the momentum back in their favor after that sucker punch, and it was notable that they looked to Alexander-Arnold to provide it.
In fact, almost a quarter of his 74 passing attempts came in the eight minutes from the start of the second half until Ryan Gravenbirch scored Liverpool's second goal.
Among them was an incredible switch of play to find Robertson, a casual layoff of Diaz with his chest, and a slide-rule pass across the line that released Grabenbirch.
His confidence and composure on the ball reassured his team at key points in the match, while also maintaining the attacking momentum and putting Fulham on the back foot.
When this goal was born, it was largely due to Grabenberch's personal qualities, but it was thanks to Alexander-Arnold that Liverpool were able to overcome that potentially stormy period, and the first It was thanks to him that we were able to take the lead in the match. place.
His free-kick, lofted into the top corner in sublime style, was another example of what Liverpool were missing without him. When finishing off easy chances becomes a problem, as has been the case with Klopp's teams recently, you need players who can convert the difficult chances.
The goal was his sixth from a direct free-kick in the Premier League, and the second by a Liverpool player after Jamie Redknapp and Steven Gerrard. This also means he has been involved in 100 goals for the club, an unprecedented feat for a right-back who is only 24 years old.
However, his performance against Fulham was a reminder that he is more than just a right-back. Liverpool will need his control and quality once again in the Bear Pit at Goodison Park. sky sports Wednesday and the rest of the games after that.
But now that he's back, their title hopes are already brightening. It took less than three minutes for him to show why against Fulham.
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