Trent Alexander-Arnold was open about changes he was making to game before leaving Liverpool

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Trent Alexander-Arnold spent just one season under Arne Slot before moving to Real Madrid, with the right-back detailing the changes he had to make to his game at Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold said goodbye to Liverpool almost a year ago(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Trent Alexander-Arnold previously shed light on the tactical adjustments he was making in the six months leading up to his departure from Liverpool to Real Madrid. The homegrown talent spent just one season under Arne Slot before deciding he needed a new challenge.

It was a remarkable campaign, with the Reds romping to the title, as Alexander-Arnold adapted to the demands of the Dutch boss, having previously only played under Jürgen Klopp.

The right-back outlined the changes that led to a diminished creative influence on the team, as Slot sought to bolster his defensive output. Alexander-Arnold spoke to the club's official website about the flexibility required.

He said last season: "In certain games, I'll be inside because of the way they [the opposition] press. Sometimes they press differently. It all varies on how they press."

Despite taking on a less prominent role going forward, he conceded that Slot's tactical tweaks still allowed him to make his mark on games. He continued: "The manager will dissect how they press so we can outnumber the way they press.

"If they press with three, we'll have four players around, so that we can play through them. If they press with a two, then there'll be three players. It's just about who those players are and where it works best.

"So, wherever the manager tells me to be, I'll be there because he'll tell me that's most likely where you'll get the ball. And if that changes, then he'll tell me during the game, 'You're not getting the ball there, try there and maybe surprise him in there and see if that works.' Throughout the game, there's a lot of things going on but if I understand it then it'll work. So far it has."

(Image: Getty Images)

It's unclear whether these adjustments influenced Alexander-Arnold's choice to leave the club. Slot, however, was candid about the player needing to improve defensively, stating to TNT Sports: "When we started to work together, I emphasized also a bit on his defensive work.

"He had to keep producing the numbers in assisting goals, but if we wanted to be a team that concedes less shots, he had to improve a bit in defending."

Alexander-Arnold has endured a difficult debut campaign in Madrid, featuring a managerial upheaval after Xabi Alonso's dismissal and struggles to nail down a regular starting berth. The 27 year old was dropped for turning up late to training before the Madrid derby versus Atletico, though he entered as a substitute to set up Vinicius Jr's decisive goal in the 3-2 victory.

Furthermore, it looks like Alexander-Arnold will be absent from the World Cup after being omitted from England's 35-man party for the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.