Liverpool and England right back Trent Alexander Arnold has named former Barcelona defender Dani Alves as the full backs he tried to learn from. The right back also stated that he wants to take his game to the next level. Arnold reached double figures for assists last season and he is on course to reach even higher figures this season, but he has admitted he needed to add more goals to his game.
The 20-year-old has been a revelation for Jurgen Klopp’s side over the last three seasons, making 90 appearances and registering 22 assists from the right-back position.
After 22 assists, Arnold has just four goals in the same period. He is keen to change the trend and add more goals to his game.
Arnold spoke to Daily Mail and he declared that the modern-day full backs need to add more to the attacking play of the team. He revealed that full backs need to give assists, crosses, through balls and goals to help the side. The mainstream full backs are renowned to stay and defend, but the youngster stated that, to defend remains the primary objective, but contributing with goals and assists should also be taken seriously.
His stellar performances mean it’s easy to forget he’s not a full-back by nature, having originally played as a central midfielder in the Liverpool academy, only learning his current position towards the end of his time in the youth setup in a bid to fast-track himself into the first team.
When you are learning a new position, watching the best in the business up close can be educational. And for Arnold, that was Bayern legend Lahm and Barcelona icon Alves. He admitted that the Brazilian legend is an inspiration. While also acknowledging the versatility of world cup winner Lahm.