Gary Lineker says why Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool exit has now become ‘quite ironic’

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Liverpool lost yet another game in the Premier League on Saturday evening, taking their tally of consecutive defeats to four in the top-flight – and the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid in the summer is now looking ‘ironic’, according to Gary Lineker.

Trent Alexander-Arnold came through Liverpool’s ranks from the age of six, breaking into the first-team in 2016 and ultimately made 354 appearances for the club before his contract ran out at the end of last season.

Departing for Real Madrid, the homegrown right-back has not had a good run of fitness in Spain, seeing his minutes decline in the capital city.

But over on English shores, it’s Liverpool’s leaky defence that has seen them squander the lead in the Premier League table, losing four games in a row to sit seven points off the top. And that has seen Gary Lineker describe Alexander-Arnold’s absence at Anfield as ‘ironic’ after years of doubts over his defending.

Gary Lineker says Liverpool’s poor defensive record is ironic after Alexander-Arnold’s exit

With the Reds conceding goals for fun under Arne Slot at present, it’s led Gary Lineker to claim that despite Alexander-Arnold’s departure, it’s ironic that they are now leakier than ever.

Speaking on The Rest is Football, Lineker said: “It’s quite ironic, isn’t it?

“Liverpool look worse defensively than without Trent Alexander-Arnold, because of the fact that he moved into midfield and filled the areas.

“So, um, it is interesting.”

Alexander-Arnold is the most creative defender that the Premier League has ever seen, leading the pack with 64 assists in just 259 top-flight games for the club.

Only former Reds teammate Andy Robertson comes close with 60, with the next-best after the Scot being fellow Scouser Leighton Baines on 53.

However, that creative force came with questions over Alexander-Arnold’s defending, particularly towards the end of his Liverpool career.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is surely regretting Real Madrid move so far

The England international may also be regretting his move. Alexander-Arnold didn’t feature for Real Madrid vs Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday evening, and there were huge warning signs from Xabi Alonso that he may not get into his team.

Midfielder Federico Valverde started at right-back as a makeshift option for the La Liga leaders, and when he was substituted with 20 minutes to go, the Uruguayan was replaced by Dani Carvajal to shore up the win.

That left the Liverpool academy product as an unused substitute on the bench, and although Alexander-Arnold has been dealing with an injury recently, not being brought on as a right-back in Real Madrid’s biggest home game this season is somewhat alarming.

It may be due to Carvajal’s skillset being more suited to defending against attacking stars, but with Alexander-Arnold on a huge contract at Real Madrid, the coaching staff not trusting his defensive side isn’t the biggest endearment to his talent.

That is made even worse by Liverpool’s struggles at right-back. Jeremie Frimpong has suffered with injury, Conor Bradley hasn’t massively impressed and although he has performed well at right-back, Dominik Szoboszlai’s presence in midfield has been missed massively.

Trent Alexander-Arnold would undoubtedly have a starring role at Liverpool right now due to their struggles and that could be tough to take.