Trent Alexander-Arnold has interpreted the full-back role differently since his emergence at Liverpool, with the Scouse defender developing a reputation for his quality and impact on the ball in particular.
The 22 year-old is recognised as the key creative spark at Anfield despite him technically being labelled as a defender; even in spite of the struggles this season, he still ranks 12th in the Premier League for key passes - with a key pass defined as one that leads to a shot - while placing top of the division for progressive passes.
He has a unique skill set, with former Reds boss Brendan Rodgers stating: "When I see him, he plays full-back as a midfield player. His range of passes is phenomenal for a young player."
Talk of Alexander-Arnold moving into midfield surfaces every now and then, with other top players in Europe making a similar positional switch over the course of their careers, such as Joshua Kimmich, for example.
The German international initially performed as a full-back and a centre-back for Bayern Munich but against Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League this week, he was deployed in central midfield alongside Leon Goretzka.
In fact, Kimmich has made midfield his home for the most part since the beginning of last season; he's amassed around 800 Bundesliga minutes as a right-back in that time compared to over 3,500 in central midfield.
However, although the Bundesliga star has successfully transitioned into a midfield player, it does not appear to make as much sense for Jurgen Klopp to favour a similar move for a variety of different reasons.
Firstly, the player who has replaced Kimmich as Bayern's first-choice right-back is Benjamin Pavard, who has won a World Cup and is an established performer compared to Neco Williams - Alexander-Arnold's backup on Merseyside - who hasn't yet reached such a level.
The Welsh defender - or James Milner - would have to start if Klopp was to moved his talisman into midfield, unless the club was to search for an alternative option in the transfer market.
Moreover, the quality of the Scouse defender is extremely valuable to Liverpool on the flanks, with Pep Lijnders - Klopp's no.2 - once stating: “Every opponent makes the middle closed for us, so the space is on the sides. Openings must come from there. Trent and Robbo literally give us wings."
Having such a threat at full-back can be difficult for opponents, as rather than allowing Liverpool right-back to have the ball - as they might have done in the past - they instead have to adapt to find ways to stop him.
Alexander-Arnold is also an incredibly effective crosser of the ball; he possesses great technique to the extent that many would suggest his deliveries are arguably rivalled by only Kevin De Bruyne in England.
Kimmich certainly has quality on the ball and he's capable of outstanding crosses himself, but it is more of an ingrained part of Alexander-Arnold's game in comparison, and that would probably decline a little if he was to take up a more central role.
Another trait held by the English right-back is his tendency to switch the play from one side of the pitch to the other; he's made a total of 119 this season, which is the joint-most alongside ex-Liverpool man, Jonjo Shelvey.
Again, if Alexander-Arnold was used in central areas, perhaps those switches happen less often?
Ultimately, his usage in central midfield is a possibility in the future, and he certainly has the on-ball quality to follow Kimmich's path, but a change to his role could deliver more downsides than positives.
