Liverpool’s FA Cup victory over Arsenal on Sunday highlighted why Trent Alexander-Arnold needs to play full-time in midfield, according to Martin Keown. Alexander-Arnold was one of Liverpool’s best players as they won 2-0 in the FA Cup fourth round at the Emirates Stadium.
The England international started the game on the right flank, at times moving into midfield to deal with Arsenal’s pressure on the flanks. However, as the game progressed, he moved into the center of the park with Conor Bradley protecting the full-backs and impressed Liverpool with his wide range of passing.
Alexander-Arnold also fed the ball to Jakub Kivior, who slipped the ball past his goalkeeper, leading to the decisive own goal. Of course, the Liverpudlian is no stranger to the position, spending recent years between right-back and midfielder for club and country.
However, Keown believes it is time for Alexander-Arnold to make the move permanent, such is his popularity in the role.”I think it’s time to get it out there, especially from an international perspective,” Keown, who works as a pundit for the BBC, said on Sunday. “Play him as a midfielder. That’s where he wants to be. He played there as a child.“That person is really Gerard, right?” You won’t be playing Gerrard at right back very often. I think it’s on the right.
“The game on the right has evolved now and it’s different, but ultimately I think he should play in midfield.”He added: “He’s like a back four, how he can operate in a central position and he really shone today.”A win for Liverpool ensures they stay in contention on all four fronts, including the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Fulham on Wednesday night.
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