Due to Ibrahima Konate’s fitness issues, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp may have a problem with Trent Alexander-Arnold. Due to his dubious injury history, the France defender may hinder his teammate’s development into a reliable midfield player at the club level.

England manager Gareth Southgate no longer considers Alexander-Arnold to be a right-back. The 25-year-old represents his nation as a middle-of-the-park player and has already delivered a number of strong showings in that capacity.

Alexander-Arnold has long been seen to have the ability to play farther forward because of his excellent passing range and goal-scoring instincts. Towards the close of the previous campaign, Klopp provided him the chance to do so, telling him to invert while still starting the game at right-back.

He hasn’t turned around yet and has been a bright spot for the Reds, who have only dropped one game this season. To date, Klopp has refused to put Alexander-Arnold in a primary midfield position, saying he would not give in to pressure from those who believe he should.

But he took over that role at the half of Saturday’s thrilling victory over Crystal Palace. Wataru Endo was replaced in the middle by his compatriot Joe Gomez, who entered the game as a right-back.

For Alexander-Arnold, many believe it to be a portent of things to come at Anfield. However, that’s when Konate might become problematic.

Liverpool is concerned about Konate’s fitness, as he has only started 23 Premier League games since the beginning of the previous campaign. The £36 million acquisition from RB Leipzig finds it difficult to play consecutive games, and Klopp’s team has appeared to play every three or four days for the majority of the current season.

Due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Joel Matip will be sidelined for the remainder of the season, which will limit Klopp’s choices at the back. Although Konate is Virgil van Dijk’s preferred partner, he cannot always be counted on to play every game.

This implies that, as he did at Selhurst Park, youthful Jarell Quansah will be given additional responsibilities. Liverpool, however, must exercise caution when applying excessive pressure to the 20-year-old, who has only made five appearances in the top level.

Gomez will probably occasionally be utilized in the middle of defense as a result. Gomez is Alexander-Arnold’s backup at right-back, which presents a problem for him.

In the event that Alexander-Arnold is left with no other choice, he or she will probably have to maintain that stance. It could be necessary to postpone his ambitions to play midfield for Liverpool on a permanent basis for the time being.