No-one should be surprised by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s poor defensive display against Manchester United – he’s never been good at it.
That’s the view of talkSPORT’s Ally McCoist, who claims the Red Devils and head coach Ruben Amorim exploited the Liverpool right-back ‘exceptionally well’.
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Alexander-Arnold endured a tough evening in the 2-2 draw at Anfield as he gave the ball away before Lisandro Martinez scored the United opener.
He was way off the pace throughout most of the match after a week in which Liverpool rejected a transfer approach from Real Madrid.
United legend Roy Keane delivered a tough assessment of the right-back at half-time amid the ongoing speculation over his future.
“Trent’s defending today, my goodness, it was like schoolboy stuff,” he said on Sky Sports. “They’re talking about him going to Real Madrid.
“The way he’s defending, he’s going to Tranmere Rovers after this. He’s got to do better.”
On talkSPORT Breakfast on Monday morning, host Jeff Stelling said it looked as though United targeted Alexander-Arnold, and McCoist agreed.
He remarked: “Absolutely. Listen, it’s been documented before, Trent’s a heck of a player, he’s having a great season by the way, let’s get that out there immediately.
“Yes, all over the place defensively which he sometimes is Jeff because his main attribute is, I would have said, his passing and certainly the way he sees things and certainly forward areas.
“Defensively, I don’t think he’s ever been great Jeff, I really don’t, but I think he got absolutely exploited to a certain degree yesterday by a United side, by the way, who played exceptionally well and probably answered one or two critics.
“I know it’s only one game but I thought it was a very, very good performance from United.
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“But in terms of Trent’d defensive play yesterday, A, I thought it was really, really poor, but B, I’m maybe not just as surprised as some people are.
“I don’t think he’s great defensively, I think, as I said earlier, his main attribute is going forward and with the ball at his feet and passing.
“So, fair play to Ruben Amorim and United for exploiting that and they did it exceptionally well.”
Alexander-Arnold was substituted for Conor Bradley with 86 minutes on the clock against United as Liverpool searched for a late winner.
His performance has left many wondering if he was affected by the interest from Madrid as a summer exit continues to loom.
Liverpool made it clear that they are not willing to let the defender, whose contract expires in the summer, leave mid-season.
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Alexander-Arnold is reportedly not keen on leaving immediately, but is free to speak to foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement.
The Reds are still hopeful of persuading him to sign a new deal as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah also face summer exits.
Arne Slot’s side sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand over their title rivals following the draw with United.
