Alexander-Arnold is a player Liverpool need, but he’s a player they can’t afford to gamble with at right-back – and, in most games now, it is a gamble
James Milner was 37 on 4 January.
When he made his Premier League debut for Leeds United against West Ham on November 10, 2002, players like Ian Harte, Paolo Di Canio, David James, Nigel Winterburn, Nick Barmby and Joe Cole were also on the pitch — relics from a different era.
Milner was given his first start by Leeds boss Terry Venables. Yes, Venables. That’s how long ago it was.
He was a winger then, and a winger for most of his career.
But he has said that he’s happiest in central midfield.
Struggles
On Sunday, Jurgen Klopp turned to Milner and gave him the nod.
There were just 59 minutes on the clock in Liverpool’s FA Cup tie away to Brighton but the German had seen enough.
Kaoru Mitoma was in danger of giving Trent Alexander-Arnold twisted blood, and the right-back struggled to get anywhere near him.
It wasn’t really a surprise. On January 14, the Reds crashed 3-0 to Brighton in the same ground, and Mitoma tortured Alexander-Arnold that day too.
Second time around, Klopp figured just 14 minutes into the second half that a 37-year-old midfielder playing out of position could do a better job.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold (left) and Brighton and Hove Albion’s Kaoru Mitoma battle for the ball during the Emirates FA Cup fourth round match at the AMEX Stadium, Brighton
As things turned out, Milner struggled to have any impact on the game — and it was Mitoma who came up with the late winner for Brighton.
But one of the images of the day was that of Alexander-Arnold when he saw his number go up.
Ally McCoist, who was on co-commentary duty for ITV, came up with one of the great understatements: “I don’t think he’s very happy.”
Problems
Liverpool’s season now hinges on the Champions League — and they meet Real Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie at Anfield on 21 February.
One of Real’s main attacking weapons is left winger Vinicius Jr. In previous meetings, he’s caused Alexander-Arnold huge problems.
It’s not just the Spanish giants that target him at right-back these days. Every opponent does it.
Mitoma is talented but he’s no superstar. At 25, he has just 13 caps for Japan — but Alexander-Arnold was breathing his fumes.
Since making his Liverpool debut in 2016, only Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne has created more chances in the Premier League than Alexander-Arnold.
But the attacking side of his game has suffered this season, falling to the same general malaise that has affected so many men in red.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool with a ripped collar during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool FC at American Express Community Stadium on January 14, 2023 in Brighton, United Kingdom
Klopp has talked Alexander-Arnold up as the best right-back around in recent years. Does he really think that now? Turning to Milner suggests otherwise.
Midfield
England manager Gareth Southgate was never convinced by him as a right-back and he played Alexander-Arnold in midfield against Andorra two years ago.
The experiment lasted just 45 minutes before he was moved to right-full again.
Klopp was dismissive of the move, but is there not a strong case for giving it more of a go now?
After all, when he came through the ranks at Liverpool, Alexander Arnold was a central midfielder.
And there are plenty of players who switched from full-back to midfield with great success. Think of Philip Lahm at Bayern Munich.
It’s easy to forget now that plenty of the early games in red of Ronnie Whelan and Steven Gerrard were at right-back.
Gamble
Alexander-Arnold is a player Liverpool need, but he’s a player they can’t afford to gamble with at right-full. And, in most games now, it is a gamble.
Klopp needs to make radical changes to turn things around at Anfield.
Pushing Alexander-Arnold into midfield should be high on his list.
