Jamie Carragher has admitted that watching Trent Alexander-Arnold right now is really frustrating him.
The Liverpool legend has been a vocal critic of Alexander-Arnold at times this season. And writing in his column for The Telegraph today, Carragher claimed that he knows Trent is capable of defending so much better.
“Because he has been bred to be a creative midfielder, Alexander-Arnold has the quality but lacks the defensive intensity,” began the 45-year-old.
“In a defensive team, I relished games in which we had to resist pressure. There is no way I could have excelled as a full-back playing Klopp’s way. In an attacking team, Alexander-Arnold excels going forward. He is less effective when having to resist pressure.
“That frustrates me. I could never do what he does, but I am certain he can find the extra aggression needed to take his defending up a level.”
Trent not showing his true level
This might be something of a back-handed compliment from Carra, but it’s still a compliment all the same. The former Reds centre-back is merely urging Alexander-Arnold to reach the levels he knows he can.
Just like the rest of us, Carragher knows the 24-year-old is capable of it. That’s why watching him this season has been a really frustrating endeavour.
We know Trent can defend up there with the best of them, we’ve seen it time and again. When he’s determined and confident, the England international is a match for even the best wingers in the game.
But at times, for whatever reason, Alexander-Arnold really does look like he doesn’t fancy it. Whether it’s through his body language or simply his movements on the pitch, he hasn’t looked right.
And that isn’t because he’s a poor player – which makes it even more frustrating. If Trent were merely not up to the task, you could excuse him as long as he gave the required effort. But we know the Scouser has the capability to be the best right-back in world football. Offensively and defensively.
In Carragher’s column today he also suggested it was time to move Alexander-Arnold into midfield. We’re not sure we’re quite at that point yet. There’s still a future for Trent in defence, but he does need to start proving that. He’s more than capable.
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