Former England and Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson believes Trent Alexander-Arnold remains a world-class talent and criticism of his form this season is premature.
The 23-year-old, like several of his Reds teammates, has struggled to be in top form this term and that has led to renewed scrutiny of the former academy graduate’s game.
Questions continue to be asked about his defensive capabilities and whether he can adjust his game from how he plays for Liverpool to a more disciplined approach with England.
Alexander-Arnold has been named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Nations League matches against Italy and Germany over the next week, but a starting role is far from guaranteed.
“I personally think people should back off,” Johnson, speaking at an LFC Foundation-SC Johnson Goals for Change partnership event at Anfield, told the PA news agency.
“He set the bar so high in recent years that people are too quick to jump on his back just because he’s not at the level we’re used to seeing him at.
“We all know that it is better to go forward than to defend, but there is nothing wrong with that; each player is better at one thing than another.
“I think it’s a bit harsh. Of course he hasn’t been playing at the level we’re used to seeing, but you don’t lose your skill overnight. It is still world class.
“Every player goes up and down in form and Trent no more than anyone wants to get back to his heights.
“He’s still a young lad and once he gets going and gets a little more confident, I’m sure he’ll reach the heights he’s been in the past.”
While Alexander-Arnold has no competition in Liverpool for his place, the situation is different internationally with Manchester City’s Kyle Walker, Chelsea’s Reece James and Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier all ahead of him in the pecking order.
And while the perception persists that he cannot perform at the highest level, he faces a battle to push forward his claims for a starting job, but Johnson believes there is no reason why he cannot excel for England.
“There are two or three people you could fight over on different grounds,” he added.
“I think Reece James would be the closest competition to Trent, but you have two different players.
“I think Gareth is probably rubbing his hands because if you’re playing against a team that sits down and puts 10 guys behind the ball, you could play Trent because of his shooting and free kick ability and then when you’re up against him. you could play Reece James.
“The players don’t want that of course, they want to play every game, but the England manager probably loves it.
“Don’t get me wrong, international football is different to the Premier League, you have to play a little bit differently.
“Internationally, you could be playing against a team that might not be one of the big nations, but will have players capable of hurting you if you don’t play well.
“But of course he will play for England for a long time. He’s going to take some hard work, but he’s more than capable.”
