Trent Alexander-Arnold's brilliant defensive level in recent games for Liverpool would have even impressed critics Gary Neville and Roy Keane, Reds expert David Lynch has suggested.
The right-back has long been praised for changing the perception of what a full-back is capable of, with his range of passing and ability to unlock opposition defences at will arguably distinguishing him from his peers.
However, for as long as the Scouser has been praised for his offensive showings, some have continued to question his defensive level, including former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane and right-back Gary Neville.
Keane has argued that Trent's defending was weak on a fundamental level, but Lynch dismissed such claims and highlighted the vice-captain's performance against Chelsea last Sunday as an example of Alexander-Arnold's good defensive ability.
When asked about the right-back's showing against Chelsea, Lynch told Sports Mole: "Trent was outstanding, really. I mean, it's no coincidence that Sancho gets dragged off at half time because he had had zero impact on the game, Trent wasn't allowing him to. And I thought Neto may be a touch more dangerous. But as you say, a lot of the time was being forced inside to try and run at the centre halves because the idea of getting on the outside, he just wasn't getting any change out of Trent whatsoever.
"I'd like to see if, you know, the likes of Gary Neville and Roy Keane watched that game, what they thought of it. I'm sure they would have been very, very impressed with his defending because he was, yeah, he was brilliant."
Excessive criticism
Trent has faced significant criticism throughout his career despite his unique ability in possession, and he has become somewhat of a polarising figure amongst fans in the wider footballing sphere.
This is perhaps best highlighted by the Liverpool vice-captain's lack of playing time for the England national team, with former boss Gareth Southgate favouring Kyle Walker over the Reds right-back due to the Manchester City defender's supposed defensive strengths.
Even when Alexander-Arnold did start for England at Euro 2024, Southgate opted to field him out of position in midfield, before dropping him after the failed experiment.
Walker's selection has helped fuel claims that Alexander-Arnold is a poor defender, but Lynch rubbished such notions, saying: "I think a lot of the criticism of Trent's defending has been over the top, full stop, you know, over the last few years, because ultimately, you can't win the Champions League, you can't win the Premier League with 90 odd points if you've got an absolute liability defensively on the right-hand side of your defence. So, he's never, ever been as bad as people make out."
Indeed, Liverpool have boasted the best defensive record in the top flight three times in the last six seasons, including during 2018-19 and 2019-20, campaigns in which the Reds won the Champions League and Premier League.
© Imago
Strong defensive outings this season
Under new boss Arne Slot, Liverpool have only conceded three goals in eight Premier League matches and have the division's best defensive record, and are first in the table.
Lynch insisted that Trent has played a significant part in achieving that record, arguing that while the team as a whole is set up better defensively this season than they were in 2023-24 under Jurgen Klopp, the vice-captain seems to have a better attitude towards his defensive duties.
"It probably helps as well that he's in a system that is set up and is a little bit more structured and a bit, you know, he's not having to go one-vs-one constantly as he maybe was under Jurgen Klopp, where it was slightly more chaotic or he's not being caught in midfield as much, you know. Liverpool pick and choose when they do that inversion now.
"So I think the system is helping slightly, but I do think there's been a kind of an uptick in his attitude towards the defending as well. And as I say, never as bad as was made out, but he was already very good, but he's kicked on a level."
Alexander-Arnold has already won 15 tackles and managed to tackle 63.6% of the dribblers he has faced in the Premier League this season, a sizeable improvement compared to last season when he only won 26 tackles and tackled just 31% of dribblers.
Trent will have to be defensively resolute again on Sunday when the Reds travel to the Emirates to take on Arsenal, a match that could prove pivotal in both side's quest for the title.
Lewis Nolan
