I actually don’t think Trent fits as a wing-back.Most systems that use wing-backs ask them to get high up the pitch, threaten runs in behind, and deliver crosses from the byline. Frimpong is a good example of that type of player. Those roles tend to rely more on pace and stamina than the elite vision and passing ability that makes Trent special.
I do think we really miss Trent’s passing from deep. Nobody else in the squad can consistently and accurately move the ball from the back to the front the way he could. Virgil is probably the closest, but he’s nowhere near Trent’s level when it comes to long-range passing, and Trent’s vision is genuinely world-class. His defensive weaknesses have always been difficult to scheme around, but I’m not convinced a back five gets the best out of his attacking qualities. To me, it’s similar to the idea of moving him into midfield. You’re changing his position to try to hide the flaws, but in the process you also lose some of what makes him special.
With Trent, I think you just take the good with the bad. Play him at right-back in a back four and make sure you have an athletic center-back partnership that can cover for him when needed. That’s basically what we had during Klopp’s best teams
Personally, I’d have him back. From a pure football aesthetic standpoint, he’s one of my favorite players I’ve ever watched. I doubt it happens, and it’s probably for the best that it doesn’t. Things got a bit weird at the end, and sometimes it’s better to leave it there.
