Trent Alexander-Arnold coming under the scanner for his defensive short-comings for Liverpool has become a trend now. The Reds were bailed out by a 89th minute Joel Matip winner against Ajax as they were heading towards a stalemate at home. Mohamed Salah put the home side’s noses in front in the 17th minute smashing a perfect ball played in by Diogo Jota. However, their lead was a short-lived one as Ajax replied through a Mohammed Kudus equalizer.

Steven Berghuis’ cut-back from the left flank was slotted in by Kudus as Alisson stood helpless. But it was the Reds’ right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold failure to keep a track of Berghuis’ run who set-up the equalizer. Former players and now pundits Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen slammed the 23-year-old who has disappointed by not contributing enough in the defensive part of the game.

Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold once again was subject to immense criticism for his poor defensive display against Ajax. Credits: Twitter

‘England spot in jeopardy’, ‘trying to earn brownie points’- Ferdinand, Owen on Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold has excelled in his attacking duties ever since making his debut for the Reds. He has so far racked up 62 assists in 235 appearances for Liverpool, proving his mettle going forward. But when it comes to covering the defensive part of his game, the England international has often come under immense criticism.

He has been constantly exposed and exploited for his lack of defensive alertness, costing Liverpool some crucial moments. In their drubbing against Napoli as well, Trent Alexander-Arnold was subject to harsh reviews for his lack of contribution to Liverpool’s backline as the they let in 4 goals. Talking about his performance against Ajax the other night, Ferdinand raised doubts over the right-back’s starting spot in England boss Gareth Southgate World Cup set up. He said:

“Is Jurgen Klopp saying to him ‘you’re in this team to create chances?’ Is he treating him like he’s a No 10 in this team from right-back? The game in the right-back position has changed so much. The likes of [Joao] Cancelo and Reece James are dictating games and getting more touches than anyone in the game.

“Is he telling him “the guys behind you, they’re responsible for defensive situations, and you go out there and play off the cuff” without the noose around your neck to be responsible defensively? I think it will be difficult for Trent to start for England, with the way Gareth [Southgate] has set his team up in recent months and time gone by.

“Jurgen Klopp is not looking at his weakest attributes. He is saying ‘what are his best attributes and how can I get him out there producing the best parts of his game and amplify the positives?'”

Trent Alexander-Arnold
Rio Ferdinand feels that England boss Gareth Southgate will now think twice before slotting Trent Alexander-Arnold into his starting eleven. Credits: Twitter

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen added he feels Trent Alexander-Arnold is trying to win ‘brownie points’ through his attacking qualities to cover up for his defensive short-comings. Owen said:

“It’s almost like he is trying to get his brownie points from an attacking point of view. It is almost like a goal will deflect from mistakes he has made from a defensive point of view. That is quite the opposite from how a normal defender would react, who would say ‘get the defending done first, it is a bonus if I can [get forward]’. It is not for him.

“It is ‘can I make an assist? Can I score a goal? And do I have to do my defending?’ That might be the role Jurgen Klopp is asking him to play. It’s almost like he has to score a goal… that’s how I used to think! Even if I played badly, if I scored, I thought ‘sod the game, I scored’. But for a defender it’s clean sheet first.

“I can only assume Jurgen Klopp is saying ‘yeh, go and do it, you have got so much talent’. But the only problem is now they haven’t got Jordan Henderson plugging the gap. Gareth Southgate didn’t pick Trent Alexander-Arnold when he was absolutely flying and he and Liverpool were top notch. As things stand, if he didn’t pick him then, he’s not going to be his first choice now.”

Liverpool finally found their first win in the Champions League and will now look to build on that to bring a change in their fortunes. However, given the Premier League has called-off its fixtures as the nation mourns Queen Elizabeth II’s passing away, Klopp will have enough time to sort out the loopholes in his team at the moment.