Liverpool are reportedly considering signing a new right-back in the summer transfer window.
Having recently announced Jurgen Klopp will be leaving his role as manager at the end of the season, Liverpool are set for a huge period of transition.
And for one player in particular, Klopp’s guidance could lead to a permanent new role.
Since being promoted to the Reds’ senior first team in 2016, Trent Alexander-Arnold, 25, has become one of the Premier League’s best right-backs. Although his defensive game has often been criticised, the Merseyside-born full-back’s offensive numbers remain unrivalled.
Trent Alexander-Arnold to play in Liverpool’s midfield
And following Conor Bradley’s recent emergence at full-back following Alexander-Arnold’s unfortunate injury, there is now scope for the world-class 25-year-old to adopt a more centrally creative role from next season onwards.
Often played in a hybrid role allowing him to fill in at full-back and also midfield, one of Klopp’s biggest tactical successes has been seeing Alexander-Arnold flourish as a playmaking midfielder — and Gareth Southgate agrees. The England boss has frequently deployed Liverpool’s number 66 alongside Jude Bellingham at the base of the Three Lions’ midfield.
Consequently, there are now plans to move the full-back into a permanent midfield role with Bradley’s breakthrough making such a decision easier.
There could be a new signing on the cards too though. According to a recent report from Football Insider, the Reds’ are open to bringing in a new right-back at the end of the season. Assuming the club look to sign a pre-established full-back, Bradley is then likely to serve as a backup with Alexander-Arnold free to work alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in the middle of the pitch.
A potentially exciting tactical tweak for fans who love watching their homegrown talent contribute at the business end of the pitch.