Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold wasn’t best pleased when he was substituted off in the 59th minute against Brighton today.
After failing to contain Kaoru Mitoma in the early stages of the second half, the 24-year-old was hooked off just before the hour mark, with James Milner taking his place.
The Scouser didn’t appear all that happy with Jurgen Klopp’s substitution, with this change becoming far more regular in recent weeks.
According to Liverpool Echo journalist Ian Doyle, the defender was shaking his head as he exited the pitch at the Amex Stadium.
Alexander-Arnold replaced by Milner…
Even if Alexander-Arnold was having an awful game (which he wasn’t by all means), the solution to the problem cannot be Milner.
At 37-years-old, the Yorkshireman is a veteran of the Premier League. However, with his age, comes a decline in his abilities.
Although he is an incredible leader and gives everything when he’s on the pitch, Milner should not be getting frequent game-time for Liverpool.
Despite this, he has made 23 appearances this season, including 13 Premier League matches.
Naturally a central midfielder, the former Manchester City man has featured most at right-back this term – either as a substitute or as a rotation option for Alexander-Arnold.
Therefore, the 24-year-old was absolutely right to express his disappointment with the decision.
This certainly wasn’t his worst game of the season, so it begs the question what Klopp thinks Milner can do that Alexander-Arnold can’t.
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