MY ACCOUNT
Trent Alexander-Arnold must forget the idea of being a midfielder and focus on not being a “liability” defensively, otherwise he risks his chances with England in future.
That was the message from former England and Manchester United captain Gary Neville, now a Sky Sports pundit, who was left unimpressed by Alexander-Arnold’s defensive lapses against Arsenal.
The Liverpool right-back was caught out of position when Gabriel Martinelli crossed from the left for Gabriel Jesus to head in Arsenal’s second, after Martinelli had earlier opened the scoring at Anfield on Sunday.
Alexander-Arnold would make amends by creating Roberto Firmino’s late leveller in the 2-2 draw, with his sixth Premier League assist against the Gunners (only Steven Gerrard has more with seven).
But Neville, who has regularly questioned the England and Liverpool defender’s abilities at the back, says Alexander-Arnold’s error-laden defensive performances cannot be masked by his output going forward.
“He was absolutely sensational going forward,” Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast. “I don’t know what to say about him anymore because his defensive play is that bad.
“Some of the positions he takes up against Martinelli to defend a straight pass is schoolboy defending.
“I don’t understand it. But some of his attacking play, his deliveries and his courage to get on the ball despite those mistakes has got to be admired. I admire him enormously.
“He doesn’t need to become the best defender in the world. He just cannot be a liability. He doesn’t have to be a great defender with the way in which he attacks. I don’t think anybody is asking for that.
“You’re just asking for a little bit of competence and attention to your work. The conversation will continue about him.
“I hope somehow over the summer the penny drops and he realises that his defensive work is hurting him.
“It’s hurting him because he’s been left out of the England squad. How can that talent be left out of an England squad?
“When you’re playing for a team that is out of form such as Liverpool, those weaknesses get exposed a little bit more.”
Klopp opted to utilise Alexander-Arnold as an inverted full-back when in possession, much like Oleksandr Zinchenko did for Arsenal.
Alexander-Arnold delivered in an attacking sense, with game-leading returns for final-third entries (13), chances created (four), touches (76) and passes into the opposition’s third (24).
But Neville remains unsure whether Alexander-Arnold could replicate a similar showing if tasked with operating as an out-and-out midfielder.
He added: “Alexander-Arnold would drift into midfield in any case given the freedom being at right-back gives him, but if he was actually down to play in midfield away from home in the Premier League and he was getting the ball popped into him, when he’s got his back to play, that’s a different ball game.
“Some of the best midfielders in the world, the Xavis, [Andres] Iniestas, they’re the ones who can manipulate the ball and Rodri does it very well. Trent wouldn’t be able to do that, honestly.
“It’s something we’ve said before about Declan Rice, and his ability to receive the ball on the half turn. You’ve got to be a top player who has played hundreds of games as a kid, looking over your shoulder.
“I’ve heard it said a number of times about full-backs being able to play in midfield before… ‘he can play wide, he can play as a winger’ – no they can’t. That’s why they’re full-backs.”
