Alan Shearer reckons Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold is back to somewhere near his best after naming the defender in his latest Premier League Team of the Week.
Although he is not alone, England international Alexander-Arnold has been unable to hit his regular standards this season and those struggles are reflective of the position Liverpool find themselves in. However, there may be light at the end of the tunnel - individually and collectively - if what happened at Elland Road is anything to go by.
Storming to a 6-1 victory over Leeds United on Monday night, the Reds spread around their goals as January signing Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah (2), Diogo Jota (2) and Darwin Nunez did the damage. But their win also brought a welcome return to form for Alexander-Arnold in his newfound position.
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In recent games, Jurgen Klopp has deployed the 24-year-old in a hybrid role between right-back and holding midfield as Liverpool switch up from 4-3-3 to 3-2-2-3 when they are in possession. Alexander-Arnold made his mark with two assists and Premier League great Shearer highlighted his impact on the result.
Assessing that display and explaining why Alexander-Arnold was included in Team of the Week for Matchday 31, the Match of the Day pundit said: "He looks back to his best after getting a more central and creative role, setting up two of Liverpool's six goals."
Although his numbers are down on previous seasons, Alexander-Arnold has three goals and six assists to his name from 39 appearances in all competitions this season. He was the only Liverpool man named by Shearer, despite the eye-catching win over Leeds.
Alan Shearer's EPL Team of the Week: Jose Sa (Wolves); Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Dunk (Brighton), Mings (Aston Villa); Fernandes (Manchester United), Rice (West Ham), McGinn (Aston Villa), Enciso (Brighton); Eze (Crystal Palace), Solanke (Bournemouth), Watkins (Aston Villa).
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