Super agent Rob Segal has claimed that Trent Alexander-Arnold is in dire need of a break from Liverpool’s starting eleven.
The 23-year-old has drawn heavy criticism for his performance during the Reds’ 4-1 defeat to Napoli in the Champions League last night and Segal has claimed “you can feel the arrogance” of the England international.
Alexander-Arnold, as well as several of his teammates, lacked work and commitment against the Italian team and Luciano Spalletti’s men were worthy winners.
Segal, who overlooked transfers like Rob Van Persie to Arsenal and Marcel Desailly to Chelsea, stressed that no matter how the No. 66 performs, he is almost guaranteed to start the next game due to lack of Adequate reinforcements on the right side.
“Liverpool have big injury problems that haven’t helped and a player like Trent Alexander-Arnold probably needs a long break,” Segal told Caught Offside.
“However, due to his position within the club, you can feel his arrogance as he slowly runs towards the goal. Alexander-Arnold knows that no matter what he does, right or wrong, he’s likely to start week after week.
“It’s no secret that Alexander-Arnold is much better up front than defensively so his weaknesses need to be covered and unfortunately for Klopp, at the moment none of his team’s backline are playing particularly well. . The timing of his fall from form has been really unfortunate.”
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Joe Gomez and James Milner have been deployed at right-back by Klopp in the past, but it is clear that full-back is not his preferred position.
Alexander-Arnold is one of the best passers in world football, but his defensive ability is now regularly called into question.
He doesn’t have the same aggressiveness or hunger when running towards his own goal as he does when advancing.
Although he and Andy Robertson have reinvented the full-back position in recent years, the basics of working hard and helping your teammates should never be questioned.
For many in a red jersey last night, that was sadly the case.
Gomez hooked up at halftime in Naples and was replaced by Joel Matip, who helped steady the ship during the second half.
Our captain for the night, Milner, worked hard as usual, but was outclassed in the middle of the park.
Thiago entered the fray at the hour mark and we instantly seemed to gain some kind of control over the midfield for the first time all night – the way the Spaniard floats around the pitch and connects play is a delight to watch.
Now we need to ensure he stays fit as we look to climb the Premier League table and secure qualification from our Champions League group.
#Ep58 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: Qualifying Liverpool’s UCL group, making a new signing… and more!
