Jurgen Klopp waded into the "unpleasant" debate about Trent Alexander-Arnold's best position amid calls for the English defender to play in midfield.
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Debate rages about Alexander-Arnold's best positionKlopp steers away from making a commentRemains open to using him in any position that would suit the teamWHAT HAPPENED?
The German manager made a tactical adjustment aimed at increasing Alexander-Arnold's involvement in central areas which saw the full-back being deployed at the centre of the park. This tweak in position contributed to Liverpool's success, with only two losses in their last 32 matches across competitions.
Recent standout performances by Alexander-Arnold, including a winning goal against Fulham and a crucial equalizer against Manchester City, further fuelled discussions about what could be his best position on the pitch.
AdvertisementWHAT JURGEN KLOPP SAID ABOUT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
Speaking to reporters, Klopp said: "It's just about us and what we have available. Is Joe Gomez there? Is Conor Bradley there? If they are both there one of them might have to play at left-back because Kostas (Tsimikas) cannot play all the games but yes, Trent can play in midfield.
"We have always known that but Trent can play the role we have given him now very well as well, so we will see. That is it. If we want to be good he has to be influential from all different areas. If he plays a good game, he obviously did in the last game and that is it pretty much.
"It is always this unpleasant [thing] that tries to create headlines. If you want to discuss it, discuss but without my [input]. We play him where we think it is best for him and he became one of the most successful players in the recent history of Liverpool FC playing as a right-back and he became a Premier League player as a right-back.
"Can he play more inside? Definitely, but as I say, we will play him wherever is best for us and I am not stubborn and don't want to play him in midfield, not at all. I am not a part of this discussion. You can discuss it as much as you want but it won't have any influence. We still have to make decisions for what is best for us and the team. And Trent sees it, by the way, the same and he has to play. From my point of view, he has to be influential and we have to make sure we can help him with the positioning, that is it."
Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
In the same press conference Klopp was also effusive in his praise for Mohamed Salah and hailed him as "an all-time great". The Egyptian forward has 16 goal contributions in the Premier League including an assist for Wataru Endo against Fulham which led the tactician to put him among the best players he has managed in his career.
"He is right up there, that is 100%. A player with his numbers I am not sure I will ever coach again, that is just the way it is," Klopp said.
"His development from the first talks we had to the ones we have now as a man is incredibly impressive. His development and growth as a player as well is exceptional. He is an all-time great without a shadow of a doubt. I was blessed to have a few good ones to be honest but like I said he is right up there and the numbers are super special."
(C)GettyImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?
The Reds have picked up two wins in their last league games and will hope to get another three points on Wednesday against Sheffield United away from home.