Trent Alexander-Arnold admits that John Stones being deployed in a hybrid midfield role for Manchester City has inspired him to embrace a more advanced position at Liverpool.
The 25-year-old remains primarily a right-back for Jurgen Klopp’s side but he has increasingly pushed into a midfield position, allowing him more time on the ball and freedom to move forward.
“He (Stones) is someone who, for a long time, I have admired,” Alexander-Arnold said ahead of joining up with England — for whom he is listed as a midfielder. “He is exceptional, so I watch him a lot. Clips or even when I am just watching City’s games, I will sit and focus on him. I have always admired him.”
Alexander-Arnold — who Klopp previously hailed as the "greatest right-back in the world" amid suggestions he should play in midfield — has explained his coach is now encouraging him to play higher up the pitch.
“I think the way I see it and the way I am told and explained to play it, when we have the ball I am a midfielder and when we don’t have the ball I am a right-back,” Alexander-Arnold added. “Half of the time, I am playing in midfield so naturally people warm to the idea of me playing in the middle of the pitch.
“I enjoy learning about the game, watching things, watching players, different systems, different teams, how different players play it and there are some players who play it really well.”
ncG1vNJzZmismJqutbTLnquim16YvK57y6KtnmWSobyov46pqZ6lmZq%2FbrjEmp6unV2jsri%2FjKWgr51dqr2lrdOeqmahnp%2FCs8WOs2%2Bni2aooLm2yoKHaKN7gLK1m7CaeYiLlGQ%3D