In Saturday’s 1-1 draw with champion Manchester City, Alexander-Arnold scored a beautiful equalizer for the Reds, giving yet another demonstration of his offensive prowess.

The 25-year-old right-back had been attempting to control City’s deceptive Belgian winger Jeremy Doku for much of a close Premier League match.

Alexander-Arnold experienced a wonderful moment following much discussion over the previous two weeks on his suitability for the England squad.

“But I dont think he had a tough afternoon on the whole. It’s how you defend them together and try to get two v one in situations and, in the end, I’m pleased for him that he got the equaliser.

“He offers a lot defensively and, obviously in possession, he has qualities that are very special and he shows that as well, so he has the complete package.

“He has to keep doing what he’s doing, keep improving, keep that high standard he has for himself and we all have for him as well.”

Over the past year, Alexander-Arnold has improved his game. He can now play in a hybrid defense-central midfield role in addition to his traditional offensive full-back role.

Van Dijk acknowledges he is unsure of his final destination and notes that he played in midfield in his most recent England matches against Malta and North Macedonia.

The center-back responded, “I don’t know, that’s for the coaches that work with him.”

“I think for the moment he’s playing just fine where he is right now.

“He has that freedom to mix it up and he has to do that because you see teams are working it out at times, so he has to be able to switch from staying on the outside and going on the inside as well.

“I think it’s a good learning curve for him as well and [on Saturday] he did that well because obviously he was playing against one of the most in-form wingers at the moment.”

After the disappointment of not being able to challenge City for the title last season, Saturday’s outcome placed Liverpool one point behind them. Van Dijk is hoping the 2020 champions can go considerably closer this time.

The Dutchman said: “It’s no secret we want to challenge for everything we are competing in and this year we are looking consistent, something we were missing last year.

“But we are in November with a difficult period coming up, difficult games ahead of us.

“Anything can happen but hopefully, if we don’t get many injuries or no injuries, we have to confident and give it everything.”