'A good learning curve' - Virgil van Dijk explains how Liverpool are adapting to new Trent Alexander-Arnold role

Since April, Jurgen Klopp has altered the set-up of the Liverpool side around the strengths of the Englishman. The 25-year-old has been stepping into midfield when the Reds are in possession, while he drops into his old role when defending. He equalised the scoring at the Etihad on Saturday night in a 1-1 draw with Manchester City by shooting into the bottom corner from the outside of the area.

“It’s about mixing it up," Van Dijk said [via The Athletic]. "We started doing that since April and I think we had a very good run where we did well. We’re still learning, he's still learning, adapting in certain situations. City are very good in that they have that proper plan and we are getting better and better at that as well. It’s a new dimension but still working on it and we can only benefit from it."

“I don’t know that’s for the coaches that work with him," he added. "For the moment he’s playing just fine where he is right now. He has that freedom to mix it up and he has to do that because you see teams are working it out at times so he has to be able to switch from staying on the outside and going on the inside as well."

"It’s a good learning curve for him as well and (on Saturday) he did that well because obviously, he was playing against one of the most in-form wingers (Jeremy Doku) at the moment. So to be important with the goal and also his interceptions is very important."

Alexander-Arnold has played in a more traditional midfield role for England in recent internationals, but Van Dijk has stated that there are no intentions to replicate that at club level for the time being.

The two defenders will next be in action in the Europa League when Liverpool take on LASK on Thursday, November 30.