Pep Guardiola has praised Jurgen Klopp for his tactical switch involving Trent Alexander-Arnold, which has contributed to Liverpool securing seven successive Premier League victories.
Klopp first trialled Alexander-Arnold occupying midfield positions during the Reds' 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Easter Sunday, a system he has since stuck by. The inverted full-back role sees the No.66 move into advanced positions when on the attack, covered by the right-sided defender when venturing forwards.
This change in approach has brought the best out of both the West Derby-born defender and his team-mates, who have since achieved wins against Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, Brentford and Leicester City.
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Heavily criticised for his defending at times this campaign, Alexander-Arnold has flourished from an attacking perspective after being given license to move into central areas. Six assists and one goal in his last seven starts speaks volumes of the impact the Academy graduate is now having, something that has not been lost on Guardiola.
The Manchester City boss has utilised a similar hybrid role involving John Stones acting as a defensive midfielder, which has worked to great effect since being deployed. Asked if this season has been his most challenging from a tactical perspective, the Catalan coach responded: "Sometimes the team evolves depending on the opponents and their problems they create for you.
"You cannot play during seven years in the same way for two reasons. First you have different players: we used to have a false nine and now we play with Erling Haaland and the way we defend and attack is completely different. The second is opponents don't defend in the same way because they know you and discovered secrets about the players you have. The moment they do a counter system, you have to create another one.
"Now Liverpool is playing with Alexander-Arnold inside. He played all the time outside and is now playing inside," continued the 52-year-old. "Opponents found a solution to the way they attacked and now they are solving a lot of problems with Alexander inside. In the future, opponents with find a solution to defender Alexander-Arnold with Fabinho inside. Jurgen will find a solution to do it. I would love to stay one system during seven years, playing the same way and the opponents didn't realise - but that doesn't happen."
City are closing in on a fifth Premier League title in the space of six years, with Liverpool representing the only side to halt the dominance of the Sky Blues within the division during this period. Arsenal could well have ended this campaign as champions, though have faded away despite leading the way for a number of months.
Offering his view on whether claiming top spot this term will mean more compared to previous years, Guardiola added: "No. We cannot deny the titles vs Liverpool were easier. Not at all. I think with the top six, we invite one or two more to sit on the table. Newcastle are one game away from the Champions League. I saw them against Brighton, to see how good they played, and Newcastle deserve to be there for what they have done this season."
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