Trent Alexander-Arnold has faced criticism in recent weeks following a spate of disappointing defensive performances for Liverpool.
The England international was chastised at the weekend for his performance against AFC Bournemouth, with Alexander-Arnold described as ‘woeful’ after being tormented all afternoon at the Vitality Stadium before leaving with a thigh injury.
With Alexander-Arnold set to miss tonight’s game against Tottenham, the 26-year-old right-back has faced criticism this season for some particularly poor defensive displays in Liverpool’s backline.
However, it has not all been bad news for Alexander-Arnold this season, with Robbie Fowler feeling that Arne Slot’s tactics may be the reason why the Liverpool no. 66 has struggled in some games for the Reds.
Robbie Fowler believes Arne Slot is telling Trent Alexander-Arnold to move forward.
Speaking on the Line Up, the Anfield great said that Slot is instructing Alexander-Arnold to drive forward, which the 26-year-old has been chastised for this season, even when Liverpool has won.
With Alexander-Arnold ready to join Real Madrid, the defender’s defensive efforts have done little to improve his reputation among fans and experts, but Fowler has stepped in to support the right-back and remind everyone just how brilliant the fullback truly is.
When asked if Alexander-Arnold’s defending is a major issue, Fowler responded: “No, not at all. When you play for a team like Liverpool, there’s a chance you’ll have more possession, therefore players like Trent must create opportunities for everyone else.
“Let’s not forget that he won everything while playing for Liverpool, which is an unbelievable top team. Defensively, he is good, but we do get criticism that he is too far forward, but that isn’t his fault; it’s probably the manager urging, ‘Go play forward.'”
Tony Bellew agrees and makes ‘outstanding’ Trent Alexander-Arnold’s claim
It wasn’t just Fowler on the Line Up who backed Alexander-Arnold to ignore the criticism; former boxer and Everton fan Tony Bellew also supported the Liverpool defense following the current spate of criticism for the right-back.
Bellew remarked immediately after Fowler’s support of Alexander-Arnold: “That’s the problem; he’s so fantastic going forward that you have to find flaws; he makes a minor mistake or is caught out of possession, but he’s out of possession because he’s trying to produce goals.
“I’ve never seen a right-back be as influential in a game, or do what he can. He is an outstanding footballer who will do anything he wants, and he has every right to do so.
“He’s won absolutely everything at Liverpool, he’s played for his boyhood club, so if he wants to go and live in Madrid then good on him, that’s up to him and he’s allowed to make that choice, just because he’s from Liverpool doesn’t mean he has to stay, he might want to see the world.”
