Paul Merson can’t believe what he’s been hearing about 24-year-old Liverpool player

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Paul Merson has claimed that Trent Alexander-Arnold received far too much praise for his recent performances for England.

Trent was lauded for his displays during games against Malta and North Macedonia in June. Finally free from the shackles of his right-back role, Alexander-Arnold looked the part in Gareth Southgate’s midfield three.

But writing for Sportskeeda, Merson suggested that the ‘adulation’ for the Liverpool had been over the top.

“I’ve said for the longest time that Trent Alexander-Arnold is the best passer in English football,” began the pundit. “But I was actually shocked by the amount of adulation he got for his performance for England on international duty.

“They played against Malta and North Macedonia, c’mon. He has been deployed in midfield recently by Gareth Southgate and Jurgen Klopp, but I still think he will play as a right-back come next season.”

Trent gets England recognition

Some might get upset by Merson’s honest assessment here. But, to be honest, we have to agree with him.

Of course Trent was brilliant against lesser opposition. He’s a brilliant footballer. Give him the space and freedom to pick out his teammates and he’ll do it all day long.

For now, that’s fine. You can only beat what’s put in front of you after all. But if every game were like that, you could see Alexander-Arnold soon becoming bored.

The 24-year-old likes a challenge. He’s talented enough that the mundane, boring things on a football pitch don’t often capture his attention. That’s part of the reason he looked so lost last season. With Liverpool playing poorly, it seemed like he didn’t want to be there.

Since his switch in position by Klopp and then Southgate though, Alexander-Arnold looks like a player reborn. The joy has come back to his game.

Obviously, that’s fantastic news for both Liverpool and England. But to retain that feeling, they have to keep him mentally stimulated. Lauding him for dominating games against – with all due respect – canon fodder is not the way to do that.

The real test will come if Alexander-Arnold is asked to play in midfield against tough opponents. We’d back him of course, but it remains to be seen exactly how he’d get on.