Klopp on Trent Alexander-Arnold England role: “Why would you make the best right-back in the world a midfielder?”

Jurgen Klopp has addressed the media ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Leeds United on Sunday.

Here are the five key talking points from his press conference.

England’s Alexander-Arnold experiment

During the international break, England boss Southgate deployed Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield for a 4-0 defeat of Andorra.

There’s been plenty of clamour for the academy graduate to move into the engine room from right-back in recent seasons.

But Alexander-Arnold generally struggled in the middle of the park and Klopp couldn’t fathom Southgate’s reasons for doing so.

“If you watch our games, you can see Trent’s position has already changed - not in all games but when it’s possible,” said Klopp.

“His position has changed a bit so there’s no need to make him our midfield player.

“Players play everywhere, especially good players. On the right-wing, he was already everywhere.

“In that game, when England and we are that dominant than Trent could play midfield - as a number six rather than this case a number eight. That’s possible.

“But why would you make the best right-back in the world a midfielder? I don’t understand that. It’s as if the right-back position isn’t as important.

“Someone thinks if he players 10 yards further up, he will be more influential. Being more influential than Trent Alexander-Arnold is tricky.”

Brazilian limbo

Liverpool are still awaiting whether they can travel to Elland Road with Alisson and Fabinho in their squad.

The Reds banned them from linking up for international duty as Brazil is on the UK’s Covid-19 red list.

Roberto Firmino was also not allowed to be involved in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers but he’s out injured regardless.

Klopp told of his frustration that he’s still left limbo and believes footballers should get exemptions for travel because of the strict coronavirus testing already in place.

He said: “I have no idea when I can expect a solution. We will see, it would be nice if I could train with the team I could play.

“Because of the World Cup coming up, there are only two solutions. We make a setlist like Brazil and Argentina, who qualify every year and Europe is the same.

“The only other solution is exemption from the government. I can understand people say “they can travel but I cannot travel” but we are in a bubble. We are not part of normal life.

“At some point, someone has to make a decision because it will move from one international break to the rest. It’s not fair only the players and clubs get punished for it.”

Keita back safely

Naby Keita endured a difficult international break but through no fault of his own.

He was in Conakry during an attempt military coup in Guinea, which forced their clash against Morocco to be cancelled.

There were initial fears when Keita could return to England - but he looks set to be involved at Leeds.

Klopp said: “Naby is here, Naby is well but it’s not good as well. We tried what we could to bring the players back as quickly as possible with other clubs.

“In the end, the European players could leave the country but in three weeks’ time, there’s another international break and nobody knows how it will be.”

Fears over van Dijk

There were nervous scenes when Virgil van Dijk, who’s only recently recovered from a long-term knee injury, went down in considerable pain during Holland’s 6-1 defeat to Turkey on Tuesday.

Although the colossus defender continued fine, Klopp admitted that his assistant Pepijn Lijnders initially feared the worst.

He said: “My broadcaster switched off and I was in contact with my assistant who was watching on Dutch TV. I texted him and he texted back ‘Not sure’.

“It was not a good moment but pretty quickly after the game, Virgil sent a thumbs up and it was fine.”

A satisfying transfer window

Liverpool opted not to complete any further business on transfer deadline day last week.

It meant Ibrahima Konate represented the only new arrival of the summer.

The likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Harry Wilson were sold, while Sheyi Ojo and youngster Jake Cain completed late loan moves to Millwall and Newport respectively.

Klopp was happy with his business.

He said: “All OK. We brought Ibra in, sold some players and sent some players on loan to get some games, so it was all good.”