Exclusive: Trent Alexander-Arnold will have new lease of life in midfield role, says Peter Crouch
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 20/07/2023 at 15:01 GMT
In an exclusive interview for TNT Sports, former Liverpool and England striker Peter Crouch reveals what Liverpool must do as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2022/23 campaign. Crouch thinks Trent Alexander-Arnold's new midfield role could breathe new life into the Reds, as the England schemer looks to gel alongside new signings Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Crouch: Trent can 'express himself' in midfield role
In an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, Peter Crouch says Liverpool must improve on last term's dire defensive displays if they are to bounce back from a disappointing 2022/23 campaign.
It was a season to forget for Jurgen Klopp's men as they crashed out of every cup competition and finished sixth in the Premier League.
As such, the Reds failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2015, leading the club's star forward Mohamed Salah to brand the campaign "a failure".
Injuries to key personnel played their part, but Liverpool struggled for long periods, with Trent Alexander-Arnold attracting criticism for his perceived errors at right-back.
But TNT Sports pundit and ex-Red Crouch believes Alexander-Arnold's switch to midfield could help address the club's defensive issues, whilst also giving the 24-year-old a new lease of life.
"The most important thing is that they tighten up at the back, because they have the players to score against anyone," said Crouch.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/05/20/3708888-75467693-2560-1440.jpg)
Klopp admits Liverpool 'were not good enough' for the Champions League
"Liverpool have often had this idea of 'we're going to out-score you' but you have to be solid defensively in this league.
"Look what Newcastle did last year. They were sound defensively and managed to get into the Champions League."
The club failed to add midfield reinforcements last summer, but this time around have brought in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai from Brighton and RB Leipzig respectively.
But it's the re-birth of Alexander-Arnold as a creative midfielder that has Crouch optimistic for next season as Liverpool look to return to the top table of English football.
"I really love Trent in that midfield role," he said.
"It's something I've been calling for for a long time, as have a lot of people.
"All his strengths are going forward and if you put him in midfield, it takes away his weaknesses.
"If you put another right-back in there as part of a solid backline it allows him to express himself."
Liverpool go to Chelsea on the opening day of the season in Mauricio Pochettino's first Premier League game as Blues boss.
The first Liverpool match of the 2023-24 Premier League season to be live on TNT Sports will be their trip to Wolves on Saturday, September 16 at 12:30.
- - -
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Heineken Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE.
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement