Trent Alexander-Arnold's 2023 was even more impressive than you think

It almost goes without saying, but Trent Alexander-Arnold had a big year in 2023.

Liverpool's homegrown number 66 helped to revitalise his side's fortunes back in the spring when he was moved into a hybrid right-back/midfield role, with the Reds losing just once in the league (under highly controversial circumstances) since the tactical switch.

While the topic of his his best long-term position for club and country continues to cause heated debate, the man himself remains highly influential wherever he is on the pitch.

The 25-year-old, who was also appointed Liverpool's vice-captain this summer, has come up clutch for the Reds on a number of big occasions in 2023/24 – not least with his goals in the comebacks against Manchester City and Fulham this season.

Creatively, Alexander-Arnold has been as important as ever for Liverpool and has continued to put up astonishing numbers for his position.

As recently reported, his goal involvements tally of 23 (four goals, 19 assists) last year has only been bettered three times by full backs in modern history – Roberto Carlos (26 in 2003), Dani Alves (25 in 2008) and himself (25 in 2019).

With his latest assist in the draw with Arsenal, Alexander-Arnold hit 57 in the Premier League – putting him joint-tied with teammate Andy Robertson for the most lay-ons for a defender since the top flight's inception in 1992.

While his assist figures are well known, perhaps even more impressively, is the fact that Alexander-Arnold played a total of 512 passes into the final third across 2023 – at least 64 more than any other outfield player in Europe's 'big five' leagues, as reported by Squawka. Ooof!

The stat demonstrates just how essential Alexander-Arnold is for chance creation, with no other player – regardless of position – coming close to his output in terms of playing the ball into the danger areas.

Other than Mohamed Salah, Alexander-Arnold is Liverpool do not have a more important player creatively.

Speaking to Sky Sports earlier this season, the number 66 said of how he has adapted to his new role: "On the right side of the pitch you are quite limited because most of the time you are quite close to the touchline so you cannot pass to the right. When you are in the middle, you can pass left and right.

"It opens up that passing option to the right out to Mo or whoever it is occupying that space out there.

"The only time I was connected to Robbo was a big switch of play. Now it is a much shorter pass.

"It is a lot more connected. I feel like I am able to dictate games in there as well. You get more chance to get on the ball and dictate the tempo, dictate when and where we attack. Just that feeling of being in control of games."