"I am convinced..." - Carragher claims Liverpool star could thrive with radical change of position

Jamie Carragher claimed Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold would thrive as a midfielder.

It has been another sobering week for Reds fans. The Anfield club were eliminated from the Champions League by Real Madrid on Wednesday, losing 6-2 across two legs.

It’s been a difficult few days for Alexander-Arnold in particular. During both games against Los Blancos, the full-back struggled to cope with Vinicius Junior, Real’s balletic winger.

Moreover, on Thursday the 24-year-old was left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the March internationals.

Indeed, since making his mark on the Liverpool first-team as a teenager, Alexander-Arnold has proved to be one of the most productive and technically gifted full-backs in the world game.

However, his defensive ability has often been called into question.

In turn, there have long been calls for Klopp to sample Alexander-Arnold in the midfield, with former Liverpool star Carragher being the latest to make the suggestion.

Carragher on Alexander-Arnold

Writing in the Telegraph, Carragher claimed Alexander-Arnold would thrive as a No. 8.

The former Reds defender said: “I have no idea if Alexander-Arnold has ambitions to go back to where he started and play in midfield, Gareth Southgate tried it and was criticised in some quarters, including by Klopp.

“To me, the move was understandable to try to get the most out of Alexander-Arnold in an England team with a completely different profile and mindset.

“In terms of his passing range, Alexander-Arnold is as good as anyone in Europe and the closest Liverpool have to Kevin De Bruyne or Steven Gerrard.

“Given how desperate Liverpool are for a creative midfielder, would turning him into a No 8 so he can fill those areas to whip those extraordinary passes into the penalty area be such a radical move?

“With Stefan Bajčetić out for the season, would Klopp even consider it as an immediate measure?

“I am convinced Alexander-Arnold will return to midfield eventually, whether it is in his late twenties or early thirties.

“It does not matter how many medals a player has won, the best will always be looking at ways to get better.

“Until then, he needs more competition for his place and guidance to eradicate mistakes to stop him being targeted and exposed.

“What will not help is those with his best interests at heart burying their heads and pretending Alexander-Arnold does not need to improve at right back.”