‘I’ve improved’: £160k-a-week Liverpool player insists he’s got so much better at defending recently

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Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has claimed he has recently seen improvements in his defending.

That’s what the 24-year-old told GQ Magazine, after having to endure criticism for his defensive abilities over the past few years.

Going forward, the £160,000-a-week star has become renowned as one of the greatest full-backs in world football, having provided a huge number of assists for Liverpool.

However, since earning this title, pundits have often found fault with him at the back, claiming he is below-par when it comes to defending.

England manager Gareth Southgate has been vocal about this, citing this as the reason as to why he struggles to earn minutes for the national team.

After receiving such criticism, taking to an interview with GQ Magazine, Alexander-Arnold has now spoken about the improvements he has made as of late.

“I think, on the whole defensively, I’ve improved,” he says. “But I would say like, even now, defensively and going forward, I can still improve on everything. We never complete football, and I will never be the perfect footballer. The aim is to be as close to perfection as you can.”

Alexander-Arnold says he’s improved at defending

Whilst the right-back has been at fault for a couple of goals this season, his defensive capabilities are certainly underrated by members of the media.

Thus far in the Premier League this term, the 24-year-old has averaged 1.2 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 0.7 clearances per game (via WhoScored).

Even in the Champions League, Alexander-Arnold leads Liverpool in tackles made, having impressively averaged 3.2 per game.

Having grown up as an attacking player, it is evident to see where the full-back has gotten his offensive traits from; often seen bombing down the wing, ready to make late crosses as the Reds continue to attack.

His unbelievable passing range is only rivalled by Thiago, with the pair relied upon to create chances with long pings in behind the defence, or as a means of switching the play.

However, this natural positioning sometimes comes to Alexander-Arnold’s downfall. On occasions, the right-back is found wandering out of position, allowing an opponent attacker to get in behind the defence unmarked.

When it comes to directly winning the ball, the Englishman is more than capable. It is just in those instances where you wonder as to where he has gone missing when the opposition have scored.