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Gary Lineker tells Arne Slot to make immediate Liverpool change to Jürgen Klopp line-up

Gary Lineker has offered some tactical advice to Arne Slot
-Credit: (Image: (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images for Premier League))


New Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been urged to permanently move Trent Alexander-Arnold into a midfield position. Slot was confirmed as Jürgen Klopp's successor earlier this week and will officially start work at Anfield on June 1.

Alexander-Arnold is out of contract in a year's time, alongside Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, and sorting their futures is likely to be a priority for the Dutchman and incoming sporting director Richard Hughes.

According to The Telegraph, Slot sees Alexander-Arnold as a key player to build his team around but Gary Lineker hopes that involves a new position.

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The Reds vice-captain was named in England's provisional squad for the European Championships and is these days regarded as a midfielder by Gareth Southgate. And the Match of the Day host hopes his new boss at club level will soon follow suit.

“He’s still playing right-back for Liverpool,” Lineker said on The Rest Is Football podcast. "Occasionally he has played in midfield, but it’s kind of the inverted full-back role, he goes and does what he wants.

“I hope the new manager when he comes in plays Trent in midfield at Liverpool. I think that’s his position, I really do, I always have. It would be lovely to see him play there regularly."

Alexander-Arnold was visibly emotional as Klopp bid farewell to Anfield after Sunday's win over Wolves. He gave the defender his debut back in 2017 and has played a key role in his development into one of the best players in the Premier League.

He said: “I’ve developed as a man, as a player, under his guidance. None of this is possible without him. He’s changed my life, and everyone around me, my whole family. This was all possible through him."

Liverpool.com says: It remains to be seen if Slot will heed Lineker's advice and play Alexander-Arnold further forward. The Dutchman favors a 4-2-3-1 system so he would be one of the deeper two midfielders. There is no doubt he has the ability to play that role but he may lack the positional nous and discipline at the top level.