New Report: Jürgen Klopp Finally end experiment as Liverpool found midfield version of Trent Alexander-Arnold

The narrative around Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move into midfield changed rapidly. The Liverpool star ended last season on a massive high, racking up the assists — masking the reason why Jürgen Klopp moved him in the first place.

No doubt Klopp and Pep Lijnders hoped that a change would galvanize Alexander-Arnold, who had been enduring one of his toughest Liverpool spells. But the move would almost certainly not have come about had it not been for the struggles of Fabinho, who badly needed the presence of a second player to help guard the center of the park.

The defense duly improved, but Alexander-Arnold’s personal transformation took the headlines. The question of a move into midfield has followed him throughout his Liverpool career, and this felt like the moment.

However, perhaps the moment has passed. Alexander-Arnold undoubtedly injected a much-needed progressive and brave presence in the midfield at the back end of last season, offering the penetration Jordan Henderson could not provide, but Klopp has since been busy in the transfer market.

Alexis Mac Allister certainly offers progression. We’re yet to see Ryan Gravenberch, but he’s cut from the same cloth. Curtis Jones is not a new signing, but he almost feels like one — his breakthrough last season was a little more understated, but was similarly important in revitalizing the midfield. That trio also presses well, offering the defense some vital protection.

Most importantly of all, though, Liverpool has added Dominik Szoboszlai. Playing as an out-and-out number eight, he effectively brings all the perks of using Alexander-Arnold in that position.

The similarities were brought to light over the international break, when Szoboszlai produced an outrageous length-of-the-pitch pass that simply screamed ‘Alexander-Arnold’. But there’s far more than just a Hollywood moment to go off.

One thing Alexander-Arnold has brought to the midfield is a greater willingness to shoot. In the hybrid role so far this season, he has unleashed five efforts at goal. Meanwhile, Szoboszlai has eight, including his first Liverpool goal last weekend.

The duo have completed a near-identical number of passes, with Alexander-Arnold successfully executing 189 compared to 186 for Szoboszlai. In terms of shot-creating actions, the Hungarian is averaging 4.5 per game, versus five for his English colleague (FBref).

Of course, Klopp will be thrilled to have both players on the same pitch at once. It gives him an excellent toolkit for unlocking opposition defenses. But if Szoboszlai has the midfield covered, does Alexander-Arnold really need to be there too?