As pre-season gets underway for Liverpool there’s a lot of intrigue surrounding how the team will look in the new campaign.
For the past nine years Reds fans have become used to knowing pretty much exactly what to expect from their team.
Jurgen Klopp’s tactics and the make-up of his Liverpool squad have generally been known heading into each season, new signings permitting.
This year, with Arne Slot taking the helm, things are very different. The new head coach is likely to install his own ideas at the AXA Training Centre and will have outside perspectives on each and every player.
Two of the most interesting in that respect are Fabio Carvalho and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Fabio Carvalho offers Trent Alexander-Arnold verdict
A lot had been expected of Carvalho at Liverpool. But after failing to truly find his place at Anfield, he has fallen massively down the pecking order.
Carvalho has even admitted that he ‘didn’t know what he was doing’ tactically under Klopp as the attacking midfielder struggled to fit into the German’s system.
Things should hopefully improve for the 21-year-old this season, with a fresh start breathing renewed life into his Liverpool career.
For Alexander-Arnold, the picture is different but no less intriguing. The Liverpool academy graduate has been the subject of so much discussion this summer after playing in midfield for England at the Euros.
WATCH: Trent Alexander-Arnold videoed scoring screamer during training for England
Although the whole of the team has been poor, Alexander-Arnold has been ‘hung out to dry‘ in the words of Gary Lineker and has been dropped by manager Gareth Southgate.
There are now renewed calls for Trent to play against Switzerland on Saturday, as the 25-year-old’s role in the national team continues to divide opinion.
With his teammate’s position such a talking point in the country, Carvalho was asked to give his own view on the matter while speaking to Rising Ballers.
“He’s got to play there [in midfield]!” said the former Fulham youngster. “He’s got too much tech not to play there.” Carvalho also suggested that he’d pick Alexander-Arnold in midfield for Portugal.
Will Trent Alexander-Arnold play vs Switzerland?
Some Liverpool fans might well have given up on watching England at this summer’s European Championship.
With Alexander-Arnold starting the tournament in the Southgate’s first-choice XI, there will have been excitement at seeing how the Scouser got on in midfield.
But after seeing him take so much criticism, including former Arsenal man Emmanuel Petit saying Trent looked ‘lost‘, Liverpool supporters may have switched off.
For Saturday’s quarter-final against Switzerland though, they might be advised to turn the TV back on again.
The Times have reported that England may look to go with a back three, with Kyle Walker dropping into a three-man defence. This would surely open the door for Trent to play his normal position; right-back.
That may be a disappointment for the likes of Carvalho, but we still think that suits Alexander-Arnold better. He certainly has too much ‘tech’ to be left out completely.