The next step in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s career? Change under Arne Slot – Liverpool FC

In many ways, it was a season that perfectly encapsulated Trent Alexander-Arnold’s career so far, but could the new manager finally see his role change forever?

Liverpool’s new vice-captain has taken another step towards almost inevitably inheriting the armband at the club in 2023/24, as long as he resists any potential temptation from Real Madrid.

The right-back – yes, we still call him that – already carried a huge load before his promotion to the leadership group, playing academy poster boy, local hero and heir to the throne to Steven Gerrard during his younger years.

Now the former captain would kill for Alexander-Arnold’s medal haul aged just 25, but the biggest chapter in his story at Anfield could yet be written, and the most important questions could soon be answered by the new boss.

Stone road

As has been a common theme across much of the squad, Alexander-Arnold’s campaign has been a little more chatty than he had hoped, due to fitness complications.

A hamstring injury sidelined him back in September after another promising start, but he soon regained his status as one of the most important cogs in Jurgen Klopp’s machine in his inverted full-back role.

Subsequent knee ligament problems began shortly after the start of the year before reoccurring the following month and preventing him from getting in a significant chunk of the run-in.

During this time, a certain Conor Bradley made it his mission to make a big splash on the senior stage.

His performances at right-back fueled talk of Trent’s future move to midfield, which was later followed by news that we would be getting a new manager in the summer – but more on that later.

While it’s true that we’ll probably never fully know where Klopp wanted Alexander-Arnold to be at any given time on the pitch, it’s fair to say that there were occasional defensive lapses during the first half of the campaign.

This added fuel to the fire as far as those talks about a move to midfield are concerned.

Incomparable influence

Where there have been shortcomings and sporadic bouts of criticism, there have been periods of ultimate brilliance in equal measure.

The 25-year-old continued to prove that only Kevin De Bruyne can realistically be considered on the same planet in terms of creativity in the Premier League.

While he hasn’t quite reached the stratospheric assist numbers he’s achieved in previous years, he’s simply mesmerized us with his vision and passing at various times throughout the season.

In addition, he reminded us of his abilities as a match-winner and goal-scorer by stepping up in vital moments where you have to be at your best.

Sam rescued three points in the space of eight days with stunning late strikes against Man City and Fulham, without which our title bid would probably never have caught fire after Christmas.

There were a few equally sublime examples where he set up his teammates, a mixture of wonderful cut balls, trade marks and world-class long-range switches.

Could it finally be time for a midfield change?

Before Arne Slott even set foot on Merseyside, many fans had already drawn their own conclusions about what was in store for the Reds’ number 66 as far as his position on the pitch was concerned.

Many believe he was always destined to eventually step into midfield and follow in the footsteps of his former idol, others believe the arrival of a new manager could be the catalyst for that.

The Dutchman seems to prefer a 4-2-3-1 formation and being able to share the defensive burden with someone like Alexis Mac Allister as part of a back two could be the perfect tonic to unleash more of his potential.

The other side of that coin is that he has shown us on countless occasions in the past that he is more than capable of being the main character at right back, which is reflected in his 79 career assists.

Whichever way you come down, it’s clear that the vice-skipper will be a vital part of our hopes of success in this new era of the football club.

That’s why it’s imperative to secure his long-term future, making sure his contract situation isn’t something we allow to develop into a bigger story than it needs to be.

On his day, he remains one of the best and most unique footballers on the planet. You can guarantee that Slott is enjoying being able to work with him regardless of what he has planned with him tactically.

Put that contract in front of him, please, Reds.

Best moment: A brilliant late winner in front of the Kop at home to Fulham.

Worst moment: A difficult return from injury against Gabriel Martinelli in the ultimately costly defeat at the Emirates in February.

Role next season: Whether it’s at right back, in midfield or in a hybrid role, one thing you can be sure of is that he will continue to be one of the most important men on the pitch.