Trent Alexander-Arnold opens up on partnership with Mohamed Salah

Alexander-Arnold plays on the right side of the back four and Salah plays further forward on the same flank for Liverpool.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (L) and Mohamed Salah in a file photo. (Image: Twitter/@premierleague)
By Karthik Raman | Oct 24, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Football fans brace themselves for a blockbuster Sunday when Liverpool visit Old Trafford to take on Manchester United in the Premier League. The match will be extra special, as it will see two in-form forwards – Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah – come head-to-head with each other. Both have been carrying the team’s goalscoring threat on their shoulders and have delivered it consistently this season. However, it is not just about these two players, as there are other threatening players who can decide the outcome of the match. There will also be a lot of emphasis on the wide areas of the pitch, with both teams having quality players on the flanks.

For Liverpool, their main threat comes from the right flank. Alexander-Arnold plays on the right side of the back four and Salah plays further forward on the same flank for the Reds. The duo’s attacking threat has been enhanced this season by a simple tactical tweak. Manager Jurgen Klopp recently explained how a “really flexible triangle” on their right-hand side can give the team an offensive advantage. Alexander-Arnold, Salah and the right-sided midfielder have been given licence to “enjoy” themselves and take up positions that can hurt the opponent. 

‘It’s kind of just flowed really’

It is an approach that has worked amazingly well so far this season, with the Egyptian forward being unstoppable on the flank, while the English full-back continues to be one of the most creative players in the league from his right-back role. “It’s just playing with freedom, to be honest – especially more this season,” Alexander-Arnold explained in a conversation with Liverpoolfc.com. 

“Not that there were really any shackles on, but the shackles have come off for us. It’s kind of just flowed really. Obviously me and Mo are the two ever-present on that side and then whoever comes in – whether it be Hendo, Harvey, Naby or anyone really – it’s just flowing. It’s just having that flexibility but also having a sense of discipline and having players, like the two centre-halves, who can organise things when we kind of get ahead of ourselves and start doing some crazy things down there!”

‘There has to be a sense of discipline’

Alexander-Arnold also mentioned how they have been given creative freedom on the flank while also emphasising the importance of maintaining discipline.

He added: “Like I said, it’s flowing well and teams are finding it difficult to deal with. It’s just a natural sense of where to be at the right time. There’s no real instructions, we understand there’s principles to our game and where to be when the ball’s on the other side and things like that.”

“But when it comes over to us then we’ve kind of been given licence to just enjoy ourselves, go and create things, go and attack, go and cause problems for the opposition. It just feels right, to be honest. Of course there’s a shape to the team, there has to be a sense of discipline and security when we’re attacking. 

“But I think for the most part when I’ve been playing the position I’ve always felt a freedom – and more so this season, being allowed to drift in wherever I want and just finding space where I can, not just having to stay on the touchline and keep the width. Just rotating, causing headaches for the opposition and just finding myself in positions where I can hurt the opposition and create chances for the team.” 





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