Jordan Henderson has waxed lyrical about Trent Alexander-Arnold after he started in midfield for England against Andorra but suggests he should remain at right-back.
The CIES Football Observatory – which takes a scientific approach in estimating a footballer’s value – suggests Trent Alexander-Arnold is worth at least €120m but Liverpool fans would likely be unwilling to sell him at any price.
Since 2006, only Dani Alves, Marcelo and Leighton Baines have made more assists than the 22-year-old and all of them are career veterans while the latter is retired meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold has at least 10 years left at the top.
I would be shocked if Alexander-Arnold doesn’t finish his career with 100 assists and the way he’s going he’ll be in the conversation as one of the greatest fullbacks of all time as well.
“Trent did some good things,” Henderson said. “Obviously it was his first time really in that position so he’s learning all the time, it’s a new experience for him. He did really well.
“We changed personnel a little bit in the second half but it is a great experience for him. Going forward it is a possibility for him and the manager will think that’s good for him.
“But at the minute he is so good at right-back, especially at club level, that I don’t see that changing in the near future but it’s good the gaffer here is looking at it to see what he can add – you have to be very talented to play in any position – but for me, he is so good at the right-hand side delivering crosses that he should stick to that for the time being.”
The only reason why I would suggest putting Trent into the side would be to get Joe Gomez onto the pitch as well which would help make the Reds that little bit stronger defensively.
It’s a misnomer that Alexander-Arnold is poor defensively but there’s no hiding that he is much stronger going forward.
That said – he’s the best fullback in the world so I don’t get the obsession from fans out there with seeing him move into central midfield although I suspect it has something to do with hoping he becomes the next Steven Gerrard.
I say we let him remain his own player instead of forcing him out of a role that he’s clearly excelling in.