Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool player has more 'difficult' role in new formation
Jurgen Klopp has admitted Liverpool are still coming to terms with their recent formation change which has seen Trent Alexander-Arnold utilised as an inverted full-back.
Such a switch sees the England international push into midfield alongside Fabinho, with the Reds' other two midfielders, in recent games Jordan Henderson and Curtis Jones, playing further forward. Meanwhile, such a set-up has also prompted a tweaked role for Andy Robertson with the Scotland captain having to be more selective regarding when he attacks forward down the wing.
Both full-backs claimed assists from set-pieces in Liverpool's 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday. And speaking after the game, Klopp praised Robertson's understanding of the new system as he admitted it has made his role in the team more difficult.
“Of course it changed his role slightly. That's clear,” Klopp told reporters. “We cannot have one full-back in the centre of the field and the other constantly high up on the left side.
“That's difficult so Robbo has to judge the situations when he can be involved and when he can overlap like at Leeds when he overlaps Diogo passes to Cody, Mo, goal.
“These situations are still there. But in the first moment of the build-up, yes his role and positioning has changed slightly. But he's a very experienced player, a very smart player and he knows when we need him there.
Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard watched on as his son Lio scored a penalty in front of the Kop at half-time of Liverpool's match with Nottingham Forest.
Youngster Lio was also able to walk out before kick-off with his hero Mohamed Salah with the former Liverpool captain in the stands.
Gerrard has previously admitted his favourite Reds player at the moment is the Egyptian - partly because of the love his son has for Salah.
In a conversation between Gerrard and Salah on Liverpool's official website, the retired legend said: “My favourite [Liverpool player] Now? It's you. It has to be you because my Lio, he's obsessed.