I saw Arne Slot's experiment vs Nottingham Forest fail before my eyes and he should know better
After starting the game at right-back, Arne Slot decided to use Trent Alexander-Arnold further forward versus Nottingham Forest - but the star is not a midfielder and is a more effective weapon from his traditional berth.
Coming into the game off the back of three successive wins in the Premier League under the new head coach, the Reds' had boasted an unblemished record heading into the international break. However, a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Forest served as sobering reminder that the transition to a fresh set of ideas and principles under Slot may not be without its teething problems.
In truth, Liverpool failed to get out of first gear all afternoon, with a change in approach on the hour mark arguably backfiring as a triple substitution and a tactical re-shuffle failed to ignite the Reds in what was a lethargic display. With Slot looking to help his side break the deadlock, the call was made to deploy Alexander-Arnold as the most advanced of a midfield trio.
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However, although his role seemed fluid as the next half an hour went on, it could be argued that his influence on the game was effectively nullified by the switch. While Alexander-Arnold created four chances in the game itself, the most of any Liverpool player, these all came before the 60th minute.
Essentially, the Reds stalwart was actually more effective in terms of the attacking aspect of the game before Slot pushed him into midfield. If the star is on the field to effectively act as the team's playmaker - given his range of passing and creative talents - this showing would suggest that he is more adept at pulling the strings from his more orthodox role in a back four.
Moreover, he was dispossessed in the lead up to Forest's winner - courtesy of Callum Hudson Odoi in the 72nd minute, with the former Chelsea man's goal enough to separate the two teams. Slot also may be ruing the decision to introduce Conor Bradley in the right-back position as the Northern Irishman failed to close the goalscorer down in the lead up to his strike.
In short, the decision to tinker with the Reds' set-up with the scores still poised at 0-0 proved fatal for Liverpool as they slumped to an eye-opening loss at Anfield. Perhaps Slot should have known that the call to push Alexander-Arnold into an unnatural role carried the risk of failure.
After all, the 25-year-old's displays in midfield at Euro 2024 proved divisive, with then-England boss Gareth Southgate eventually shelving the move in the group stage of the tournament. There is no doubting the star's talents but it is clear that he is at his best playing in the position where he first made his name.
A telling case in point came in the form of Alexander-Arnold's performances for his country during the latest round of international fixtures this month. Starting both games at right-back, the West Derby-born ace looked like a player reborn in a Three Lions shirt in his outings versus the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
With the Slot reign at Anfield still very much in its infancy, the Dutchman can be forgiven for attempting new methods and ideas in games as he looks to settle upon his best system. However, when it comes to the club vice-captain, there is enough evidence to suggest that his rightful role should be as a full-back.
After all, the Reds won practically every major honor there is on offer under the new head coach's predecessor with Alexander-Arnold proving an invaluable asset in his more traditional role. As the old adage goes, if it isn't broken, don't fix it.