"Different player" - Michael Owen suggests Liverpool man is so much better when £20m star starts

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes Trent Alexander-Arnold is a ‘different player’ when Jordan Henderson starts for the Reds.

Both Alexander-Arnold and Henderson were named in Jurgen Klopp’s starting eleven for Liverpool's Champions League encounter against Rangers at Anfield and the Merseyside club ran out 2-0 winners.

A stunning free-kick from the English right-back and then a Mohamed Salah penalty saw Klopp’s side comfortably secure a second consecutive victory in Europe’s prestigious competition.

The result sees Liverpool go second in Group A, three points behind group leaders Napoli.

Alexander-Arnold received widespread praise for his performance against the Scottish side, with his exhilarating opening goal and creative passing throughout integral to last year’s finalists securing all three points.

However, this praise has come after weeks of criticism in which the playmaker has been lamented for his defensive deficiencies and errors leading to the concession of goals. 

Micheal Owen told BT Sport that he attributes the 23-year-old’s superb display last night to the presence of Jordan Henderson on the right-side of Liverpool’s midfield ahead of him.

“Jordan Henderson was absolutely sensational,” Owen said. “Alexander-Arnold would have been buzzing to see Henderson on the team sheet. Alexander-Arnold does not worry when Henderson plays, it gives him insurance. He is a different player.”

Owen’s point that Henderson’s facilitator role gives Alexander-Arnold increased licence to get forward was certainly reflective of what entailed at Anfield last night.

Henderson constantly filled the space vacated by the full-back and allowed him to concentrate on how he can impact the play in the final third. 

Klopp will be desperate to keep this Alexander-Arnold form going and may now deem Henderson’s place in the side integral in doing so. 

The Liverpool born man managed 12 assists from right-back in the Premier League last season, so it’s clear that his influence on the offensive side of the team is pivotal to the Reds flourishing as an attacking unit.