GARY LINEKER reignited the Trent Alexander-Arnold debate as the Liverpool star shone in a more advanced role last night.
The Reds romped to a 6-1 victory at Leeds United to end their five-match winless run in style.
The 24-year-old Alexander-Arnold has come under fire this term for his defensive frailties at right-back, with Lineker previously leading calls for him to be deployed in midfield.
And after Jurgen Klopp opted to play him further forward yesterday, the England international showed everybody what he is capable of.
Alexander-Arnold produced two assists in the rout and also enjoyed 140 touches of the ball as he played a key role in the demolition job at Elland Road.
And Lineker once again took to Twitter to say: “Said it for years: I’d love to see @TrentAA play in midfield regularly.
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“It’s the position he grew up playing. Play to your strengths.”
Alexander-Arnold progressed through Liverpool’s academy as a midfielder before switching to full-back after making the breakthrough into the first-team.
Despite heavy criticism from pundits and supporters, Klopp has long persevered with playing him in that position as the ace has rewarded that faith by helping the Reds to Champions League, Premier League, Fifa Club World Cup, FA Cup and League Cup success over recent years.
And his German coach was full of praise for his performance on Monday.
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Klopp said: “He won the ball back for the first goal from that position as well, stepping really out there – it was good. Yeah, impressive.
“I think also the highlight was then the last pass [his assist for Nunez], but he had a few more from that position.
“Wherever Trent is [on the pitch] he can be decisive with his passes, he was very often for us, that’s how it is, tonight was a good game, you could see that he enjoyed it.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
