Rio Ferdinand shares Trent Alexander-Arnold theory amid talk of new Liverpool role
Posted Thursday, April 15, 2021 by Dailystar.co.uk
Trent Alexander-Arnold has suffered a tough season at Liverpool, with Gary Lineker suggesting he could be better suited in a different role - but Rio Ferdinand believes Jurgen Klopp will not give him the chance
Rio Ferdinand has shared his theory on Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold amid speculation over a new role.
The Englishman has suffered a tough season, suffering a calf injury in November before putting in some poor performances.
It saw England boss Gareth Southgate leave him out of the latest squad for March’s World Cup qualifiers, with the boss dubbing him “lazy”.
But he has been getting back to form for Liverpool, grabbing the winner in the 2-1 win over Aston Villa before playing a part in the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid.
And it saw the BT Sport studio speculate on whether a change of role would suit the 22-year-old.
Rio Ferdinand has a theory on Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool
Host Gary Lineker said: “Brilliant going forward but suddenly there's been question marks about his defending. A real microscope on his performances these days.”
And pundit Ferdinand said: "I think you've got to look at it one way, it shows you how far he has come over the last couple of years that everyone is honing in on this kid's performances.
"Dissecting it, taking it apart. Yes he has some parts of his game like defending that need to be improved.
"But what 21/22-year-old hasn't? It's normal. It's because he's under the microscope in big games. The kid is an immense talent.
Gary Lineker suggested the Englishman could play further up the field in midfield
"He has an ability to find passes that other people, other midfielders, other No.8s in the world, can't find - let alone right-backs.”
And the host picked up on the Manchester United hero’s mention of midfield, citing Alexander-Arnold’s history in the position at the academy.
He said: “You can see him being a [Philip] Lahm, [Joshua] Kimmich, even [Joao] Cancelo at Manchester City. He' got that within him."
Ferdinand, though, suggested that pushing up the starting XI would not be possible for the Englishman.
But Ferdinand said that Jurgen Klopp would not 'change him'
The Englishman was given his chance in the senior squad by Klopp
He responded: “Yeah but he'll need to play for Pep and that's not going to happen.
"He's got to stick where he is. I don't think Klopp is going to change him.
"But what I do notice about this kid, he has character.
"He is under huge pressure and comes up with the winner at Anfield where they have not won for many weeks by the way.”
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