Darren Bent has suggested that Trent Alexander-Arnold should focus more time out on the training pitch than in the gym amid a poor season for the Liverpool defender.
Speaking to TalkSport, the pundit discussed how the England international’s bulking might have played a negative impact in Alexander-Arnold’s style of play, with Bent arguing that the defender’s increased size has made it more difficult for the right-back to mark attackers.
The 24-year-old has noticeably put on muscle this season amid a summer transformation that many Premier League players are now undergoing in their time off. However, for Alexander-Arnold, there is now growing support on the theory that the extra mass is affecting the defender’s form.
Indeed, whilst the theory makes sense, confidence and overall team morale could be the main reason why Alexander-Arnold has unimpressed this season, though Bent believes that too much time in the gym could be to blame.
Bent said: “I always look at Trent and think, with the football he’s still exceptional. His range of passing is still there, you don’t lose that.
“But his whole physique of getting around the pitch, getting sharp up to the attackers. One thing he used to do, even though his defensive responsibilities have been questioned for a little while now, he still used to get up against the wide man and at least make it look a little more difficult for him.
“But now he’s not even doing that, so he’s almost allowing the wide men to turn, run at him and then all of a sudden he’s struggling a little bit. So I definitely agree, the regime whatever he is doing, he needs to change it. Maybe less time in the gym lifting weights and maybe more time on the grass.”
Alexander-Arnold can prove Bent wrong in upcoming Liverpool matches
Bulking up too much too quickly is a common problem some athletes find themselves experiencing, particularly in the world of rugby and basketball. Yet in football, the nature of the sport means that players are better suited to handle the new changes in their body, which is why Alexander-Arnold can prove a lot of doubters wrong.
The Liverpool defender is experiencing a year to forget, much like the majority of his team, yet with a handful of games left to go, Alexander-Arnold can end the season on a high by putting in a string of performances that will catch the eye of his critics, including Bent.