Jurgen Klopp has discussed using Trent Alexander-Arnold in a midfield role and Wataru Endo’s adaptation since signing for Liverpool last summer.
Liverpool host Brentford in the Premier League this weekend, looking to bounce back from disappointing results and performances against Luton and Toulouse in their last two fixtures.
Klopp has a selection headache in midfield with Alexis Mac Allister suspended for the clash with the Bees, with the Argentine having been used in a defensive midfield role since arriving from Brighton.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been named as a potential replacement, with Liverpool having experimented with inverting the full-back into midfield, and Klopp admits it is a ‘possibility’ the 25-year-old will be handed a central chance.
“Yeah, a possibility. It depends on the situation, the opponent, a lot of things,” he told his pre-match press conference.
“We know he can play there. If we put him there we lose one of the best right-backs in the world. We should not forget that completely.”
Wataru Endo is another alternative for Liverpool, but the Japan international has featured for just 118 minutes in the Premier League this season and has not started since the win over Newcastle in August. The 30-year-old struggled during the midweek defeat at Toulouse, though Klopp insists he has been happy with the midfielder’s adaptation at Anfield.
“Very good. Wataru was all the time very important for us. It’s another part of football that you line up 11 and they do well, you think the others don’t do well. It’s not true.
“Wataru makes steps every day. We had stories like this in the past. Andy Robertson did not play for half a year. Nobody can remember it anymore but it was like that. Other players had their struggles in the beginning, it’s all fine.
“He did not struggle, it’s just we play pretty good and he is super important for us. He played a lot of games and if he plays all the games people say ‘ah but he’s not starting in the Premier League’.
“It’s a little bit rhythm, but he will definitely start games in the Premier League, 100%. Now it’s just important we get through this period until the international break and after with as little injuries as possible because the games are coming thick and fast.
“It’s crazy how many we have to play and we need them all, you will see them all. We are together for a while, we are much better used to each other than we were. Things are going in the right direction. We are not there yet, we are not as stable as I wish but that’s normal as well. All fine.”
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