It was the start of a revival and a reinvention. When Arsenal last visited Anfield, in April, Trent Alexander-Arnold had been an unused substitute for Liverpool’s previous match, a stalemate with Chelsea. Jurgen Klopp’s team had one point from three league games, five defeats in 12 and sat eighth in the table.
Come the rematch and Liverpool have been beaten just once in 27 top-flight games. Victory would put them top of the table at Christmas, unless Aston Villa thrash Sheffield United on Friday night to reverse a significant goal difference deficit to the Reds. If Klopp’s new team have been reshaped by the summer signings in the centre of the pitch, change began eight months ago when it was apparent that Alexander-Arnold, never a stereotypical right-back, was instead coming infield to act as a midfielder against the Gunners.
