Alexander-Arnold admits admiration for 'exceptional' England team-mate
Cameron Smith
- 13 Nov 2023 13:43 CST
- 3 min read
Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has admitted his admiration for England team-mate John Stones following his new role at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold, 25, has been used in an inverted full-back position by Jurgen Klopp this season, moving into midfield when the Reds have possession.
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It’s a similar role to the one Stones has perfected under Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, and Alexander-Arnold is a huge fan of his international team-mate.
The Liverpool vice-captain has revealed that he has spent hours watching video footage of great midfielders in an attempt to better understand his new role, while he also closely analyses Stones whenever he plays for Man City.
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What has been said?
He told the media after Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Brentford: “I enjoy learning about the game, watching things, watching players, different systems, different teams, how different players play it and there are some players who play it really well.
“I think as someone who plays the inverted, hybrid role - I don’t know what people call it these days - then it is obviously John Stones.
“He is someone who, for a long time, I have admired his game; he is exceptional, so I watch him a lot. Clips or even when I am just watching City’s games, I will sit and focus on him.
“I have always admired him, I do admire the way Rodri plays. He is pivotal in that team and someone who is massively underrated but like we have seen recently, when you take him out of the team, they are not the same. That just shows how important he is.
“I would say it is those kinds of players I watch, but there are a lot. I will watch players from the past as well - [Sergio] Busquets, [Xabi] Alonso, [Andrea] Pirlo, Stevie G [Gerrard]: those players I have always enjoyed watching.”
Alexander-Arnold has once again been listed as a midfielder in Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad, but it remains to be seen if he will oust Kalvin Phillips or Declan Rice in the Three Lions’ preferred double pivot.
