‘It’s like he’s never played in this position before’: Roy Keane hits out at Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defense for Liverpool after Arsenal’s draw… while Jamie Carragher isn’t sure he’ll ever improve at the back
Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher questioned Trent Alexander-Arnold defensively in the wake of Liverpool’s enthralling 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday.
The 24-year-old played a part on both sides of the action during the chaotic draw, making the crucial throw off the back post for Roberto Firmino in the 87th minute to head in the Reds’ equaliser.
However, he was also part of a defensive strategy that left Liverpool looking very poor in the first 35 minutes of the game, as they fell two goals down, before mounting a comeback that looked unlikely based on the opening exchanges.
Keane, the former Manchester United man, expressed his feelings about England international Alexander-Arnold after the game against Sky Sports.
The 51-year-old ex-midfielder said: “It’s surprising with Trent. It’s like he’s never played in this position before.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive play for Liverpool has been questioned by some pundits
Roy Keane said Alexander-Arnold was an “experienced player” who seemed out of place
“He is an experienced player, has played hundreds of matches, won big trophies, he is an international player.
“People move quickly around him. It’s like he’s never seen it before. He has to face that every day in training, he faces it every time he plays a football game at the highest level.
“He seems surprised every time someone has a good move against him. He hasn’t learned at all in recent years.
“That’s the bit that surprises me, he hasn’t improved at all defensively.”
This wasn’t even the case when Manchester United lashed out at Liverpool, with former Reds defender Carragher agreeing with Keane after his comments – saying a Liverpool side in good shape would see Alexander-Arnold being used less often in defense shown.
Carragher said, “It’s about whether he will ever improve defensively. I’m not sure he will, if I’m being honest.
“He’s an experienced player. I think the bottom line is that when Liverpool get back to their best, we’ll see him more on the forefoot with the ball, and we’ll see him less defensively. That’s the position we’re in.’
The 45-year-old compared it to Oleksandr Zinchenko’s situation at Arsenal. His performance today, as it has been all season, was widely praised until he was overpowered by Alexander-Arnold on his way to Liverpool’s late equaliser.
Jamie Carragher asked if the 24-year-old Liverpool defender would ever get better at the back
Carragher compared the situation to Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko when he goes forward
Of Zinchenko, Carragher said, “I think it’s similar. The composure he displayed at times was brilliant on the ball, but he let them down defensively. If Arsenal starts fighting for the top four again, it will reveal a lot.’
The Ukrainian was taken off the field immediately after the goal and replaced by Kieran Tierney. Carragher said the late move came about because Zinchenko “isn’t 100% trusted defensively.”
Arsenal have a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League, although Manchester City still have a game in hand. The Gunners are set for a trip to West Ham next weekend.
Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have eight days to prepare for their next match as they travel across the north of England to visit Leeds United.