Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed the players helping shape his new hybrid role.
Liverpool’s vice-captain continues to enjoy a resurgence since evolving into a role that affords him the freedom to gravitate between midfield and full-back.
That transition helped him become established as a midfielder when called up for England duty ahead of their Euro 2024 qualifiers over the coming week.
And Alexander-Arnold admits that he has taken a cue from several players both past and present including the Reds’ next opponents Manchester City.
He said: “I think as someone who plays the inverted, hybrid role – I don’t know what people call it these days – then it is obviously John Stones.
“He is someone who, for long time, I have admired his game, he is exceptional, so I watch him a lot.
“From clips or even when I am just watching City’s games, I will sit and focus on him. I have always admired him and admire the way Rodri plays [too].
“He is pivotal in that team and someone who is massively underrated but like we have seen recently when you him out of the team, they are not the same.
“That just shows how important he is. I would say it is those kinds of players I watch, but there are a lot.
“I will watch players from the past as well – Busquets, Alonso, Pirlo, Stevie G, those players I have always enjoyed watching.”
Alexander-Arnold’s midfield shift has also been subject to experiment with Jurgen Klopp testing him at No.6 in a Carabao Cup win over Borunemouth.
But the 25-year-old insists that there are fundamental differences between playing as a pivot and the role he is currently enjoying with regularity.
“I think when the ball advances up the pitch it becomes more about protection and stopping counter attacks. It is more disciplined,” he explained.
“When I come in as a right-back there is still Endo or Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) there, Fabinho last season, their job and their role is to stay as the No6. It doesn’t waiver.
“My job is the one who comes in and still has the freedom to underlap Mo or overlap him, get into the box, shoot or cross.
“Whereas as a No.6 it is more rigid, you are a defensive midfield and it is your role along with the two centre-backs to ensure that when the ball pops out of the box it doesn’t go into the striker’s feet and they can build from there.
“That is probably the main one, the rest is positionally getting used to where to be and a lot of it in me very instinctive and trying to read the game before it happens and put myself in the right position.”