Joel Matip has opened on on how every Liverpool centre-back is adapting to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s new hybrid role.

Jurgen Klopp, Trent Alexander-Arnold
IMAGO / News Images

Alexander-Arnold has impressed so far in his new hybrid midfield role for both club and country. He shone in the position for the Reds towards the latter stage of last season and he was deployed in a similar role by England manager Gareth Southgate during the 2024 Euro qualifiers.

The 24-year-old has been deployed in a hybrid role again this season by Jurgen Klopp that enables him to drift inside from right-back and become a fulcrum in central midfield when Liverpool are in possession.

“It is obviously a different kind of situation for me now and I need to adapt. I think it will get better and better in the season,” Matip told the club’s official matchday programme.

“For sure I have to think of different things on the pitch because the right-back will not be there in the first moment. We need to adapt, but at the same time we have got some more players and some new players in the midfield.

“There are always some pros and cons but there is no perfect system. It’s how we live the system we are playing and I feel confident of our system.”

On his eighth season as a Liverpool player, the former Cameroon international added: “At the end now it feels like it has gone quite quick, but I have been here a long time and I have enjoyed it.

“When I first arrived I didn’t really think about how long I would stay. I just thought about the time I’ve got here and put all my focus into playing football.

“I have had some good times here and some times when I’ve been unlucky with injuries, but I have always tried to come back and show my best self. That is what I want to do again this season.”

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