Trent Alexander-Arnold has been perhaps the most important player in creating that Liverpool attacking onslaught. He’s due to leave the club at the end of the season, when he’ll be joining Real Madrid on a free transfer. Alexander-Arnold’s senior debut at 18 walked right into an English Premier League club on the field. Since then, he’s played 352 times for Liverpool, cementing his legacy as one of the Premier League’s greatest playmakers under manager Jürgen Klopp. We’ll take a look at how Liverpool might adjust with his surprise exit, plus what it means for superstar forward Mohamed Salah.
Alexander-Arnold’s contributions to the team are significant. He has only developed 514 chances during his time in the Premier League. That’s a staggering 22% more than any other defender on the planet! Too much to choose from, but he’s completed 2602 passes into the box, most by any player since his debut. That elite-level playmaking ability to breach even the stoutest of defenses has made him a must-play weapon for Liverpool, as well.
The Impact on Liverpool’s Offensive Strategy
The statistics surrounding Alexander-Arnold’s performance are compelling. He currently ranks fourth in the league with a whopping 64 total assists. This achievement sees him become the highest scoring defender in Premier League history. His production role has been crucial to the overall shape of Liverpool’s attack, especially in his build-up work to produce chances for Salah. Alexander-Arnold has played a league-high 100 chances for Salah in the Prem, more than any other player has played for any other player.
He currently sits sixth amongst Premier League players for chances created from open play. Furthermore, he ranks third for chances created from set-pieces over the same time period since the start of the 2018/19 season. His knack for hitting players with pinpoint deliveries and crafting potent free-kicks has been crucial to Liverpool’s attacking success. Salah takes center stage with his explosive pace and incredible goal-scoring ability. He is even more effective, of course, with the benefit of Alexander-Arnold’s world-class vision and playmaking ability.
“Even though we could so many times, we never moan at each other. We just know each other’s style of play.” – Trent Alexander-Arnold
As Liverpool faced life without Alexander-Arnold, the team needed to reinvent its attacking shape. His absence will make them need to change how they create opportunities. Moreover, they will need to conflate their ideas on set-piece offense, defense, and build-up play.
Transitioning to New Leadership
With Alexander-Arnold gone, Liverpool will certainly feel the absence of such a rare talent and leader on the field. And he’s done it in exceptional style, individually. Even as much as he’s used to being able to rely on the support of his fellow defenders, offering him a chance to flourish in the union’s most defensive-defensive, most offensive-offensive system. His departure will surely create a void that will not be filled right away.
Liverpool can be very excited about the emergence of Conor Bradley, who has already made a strong impression as Alexander-Arnold’s understudy. Based on Bradley’s strong performances, he has shown he can handle greater responsibilities going forward. The transition will not be easy, but it has created an interesting opportunity for Bradley to make his mark. This is his opportunity to impress and earn a place on the first team.
It’ll be up to Liverpool’s coaching staff to best determine how to maximize Bradley’s advantages. They should be figuring out how to get him involved in a system that has largely relied on Alexander-Arnold’s unique skillset. Adaptation will be crucial as they face this new reality.
The Future for Mohamed Salah
Salah’s future at Liverpool besides a considerable amount depends on Alexander-Arnold’s departure. Through the years, the two players have built an unmatched economy-enabling pair. Alexander-Arnold provides the tactical hub through which much of Liverpool’s attack runs, finding Salah with pinpoint crosses and passes. Their chemistry, though, is confident and electric. For Salah, it’s a matter of waiting to see how he embraces new dynamics into the squad.
While Salah remains one of the league’s top forwards, he may need to adapt to a different style of play without Alexander-Arnold providing those crucial passes from deep positions. The effectiveness of their partnership has been evidenced by Salah’s impressive goal tally over the years, which has been bolstered significantly by Alexander-Arnold’s assists and chance creation.
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