CHRIS SUTTON: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive weaknesses were exposed by Real Madrid… after showing his best side against Arsenal, we saw in Spain exactly why Gareth Southgate dropped him for England
- Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive weaknesses were exposed by Real Madrid
- The right back showed his best side with an offensive display against Arsenal
- But on Tuesday we saw why Gareth Southgate left him out of the England squad
We saw the best of Trent Alexander-Arnold against Arsenal.
The 22-year-old was awesome offensively at the Emirates Stadium at the weekend and I love that side to him. On Tuesday, though, we saw the other side — the side to him that Gareth Southgate seemingly did not trust enough to have in his latest England squad.
I did feel that it was harsh of Southgate to not name Alexander-Arnold for those World Cup qualifiers. But if you base the right back or right wing-back positions purely on defensive capabilities, then do you select Alexander-Arnold?
Trent Alexander Arnold’s defensive weakenesses were exposed against Real Madrid
Southgate has so many great options in that area. There are others out there better than him in that department — others who might not have made the same mistakes he did on Tuesday.
That second goal could be a killer for Liverpool in this competition, as he provided a very unfortunate assist for Marco Asensio with a mistimed header.
It was not entirely down to Alexander-Arnold that Jurgen Klopp’s side found themselves trailing 2-0 at half-time.
Liverpool’s team as a whole could hardly string three passes together. Then Mohamed Salah got that goal and Liverpool’s spirit was lifted.
But then Real helped themselves to another. It will go back to Anfield, where Klopp needs another one of those special nights from his side if they are to make something of this season.
The Liverpool right back showed why Gareth Southgate did not pick him for England
The full-back is great going forward but can be caught out when having to defend
