Trent Alexander-Arnold told two things that are needed for him to play in midfield

Rio Ferdinand has said Arne Slot must adjust his system if he wants to deploy Trent Alexander-Arnold in central midfield. The 25-year-old has became a presence at right-back at Anfield since signing his first professional contract in 2016, making 313 appearances for the Reds.

The versatile player has also demonstrated his ability in midfield under former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and ex-England coach Gareth Southgate. His precise passes from wide positions have proven invaluable in the Premier League, with 81 assists to his name for the Anfield side.

His ability to distribute the ball and create opportunities from narrower positions has also been recognised, leading to calls for him to start in a central role. However, if Slot and England's interim manager Lee Carsley wish to utilise him centrally rather than in his preferred position on the flank, Ferdinand believes adjustments are necessary.

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On his podcast 'Rio Ferdinand Presents', alongside Jody Morris and Joel Beya, the 45 year old argued: "I think there's two things that really have to be closely looked at and addressed with Trent if you're going to start him in midfield. One of them - like Jody just touched on - you need runners," reports the Mirror.

Discussing the tactical use of a midfielder, he added: "It's pointless having him move into midfield if there's no runners or good movement penetrating the opposition's back lines - because he's the one that can play that balls like we saw against Ireland. And the other thing is, coach him or sort the system out so that he does not receive the ball with his back to play.

"That is the biggest problem in his game at that position. If he goes into the ball with his back to play... that's alien to me and I was actually someone who people said was comfortable with the ball. But going to the ball and not knowing what's behind you - the angles that he needs to come on the ball like someone like [Sergio] Busquets or Toni Kroos.

"The way they come onto the ball, they drop into the little half-positions where they're getting it side on, one touch and they see the game." Beya chimed in: "He was poor at that during the Euros," before Ferdinand asserted: "Yeah, that's down to him but also that's down to coaching.

"Like, there's things like fundamentals that are non-negotiable. Don't go straight onto the ball - that'll be in your head then so you don't. And this is coaching. Whether that was relayed to him, or he didn't understand it. But those are the two things I would be looking at if I was coaching him in that framework."

Alexander-Arnold found it tough to make his mark in the recent Euro 2024 tournament of Germany. He was initially positioned in the centre of the field by England's manager Gareth Southgate for the first two Group Stage matches against Serbia and Denmark, but was later replaced by Manchester United's young talent, Kobbie Mainoo.

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However, Slot might decide to keep Alexander-Arnold in his original position following an impressive start to the 2024/25 Premier League season. The Reds have already claimed victories over Ipswich, Brentford and their fierce rivals Manchester United in a perfect season so far, with the prime man playing at right back in each match while players like Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai have been controlling the midfield.

At international level, Alexander-Arnold has already racked up 30 caps for England - and while he has mainly been utilised in his more comfortable position, Southgate also started giving him game time in the centre of the park. With Southgate resigning after England's Euro 2024 final heartbreak against Spain the Liverpudlian could well find himself back on the flank under interim manager Carsley going forward.