Trent can be a midfielder and a full-back — Klopp

Jurgen Klopp happy with Trent's performance

Trent can be a midfielder and a full-back — Klopp

Faruq Ibrahim 23:54 - 17.04.2023

Jurgen Klopp speaks on Trent Alexander-Arnold's position following the victory over Leeds United.

Trent Alexander Arnold had a brilliant game in a hybrid midfield position, and Jurgen Klopp suggests that it is a role the England international will reprise more often in the future, saying he can be a midfielder and a full-back. 

Arnold recorded two assists in Liverpool's 6-1 thumping of Leeds United to keep their top-four ambitions alive.  

The match in brief

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In the 35th minute, Cody Gakpo gave the visitors the lead by tapping in a Trent Alexander Arnold pass. Mohammed Salah then made it 2-0 in the 39th minute on a Jota assist.  

Taking advantage of a Konate error, Luis Sinisterra pulled one back for the home team in the game's 47th minute. However, Jota restored Liverpool's two-goal lead in the game's 52nd minute.

Salah made it 4-1 in the 64th minute, and Jota added to the advantage in the 73rd minute. In the last seconds of the half, Darwin Nunez, who had been on the bench, scored the game's final goal.  

What Klopp said 

The German tactician was asked if he sees Trent as a midfielder or as a right-back going forward, and he replied that the 23-year-old was capable of playing both positions.  

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp with top scorer Mohamed Salah
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp with top scorer Mohamed Salah

Klopp said the defender can play both positions and even admitted that they were better protected on the counterattacks in this game when Trent tucked into midfield.

He says the setup suits them better in terms of the protection it offers, saying his team usually concede too many set pieces and needed a formation that mitigated that.

"Because it's Trent it's both. I think the goal for Darwin is an exceptional pass. He can be both but in general you are right we need to be better protected as well because we concede too many counter-attacks," Klopp said, per the BBC.

“Trent played a really good game but when we lost the ball the reaction was a lot different. All players we must be able to protect and for that the formations suits us much better."

Liverpool host Nottingham Forest in their next Premier League encounter as they look to continue their charge for a top-four finish.

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