Gary Neville says Trent Alexander-Arnold could have cost Liverpool versus Tottenham

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Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes Trent Alexander-Arnold could have cost Liverpool all three points against Tottenham on another day.

Neville was at pains to point out what a fan of the England international he is, but also highlighted moments of the 2-1 Anfield win which could have gone a different way on another afternoon.

As per Sky Sports, he said: “Trent Alexander-Arnold is amazing. One of the best full-backs I’ve ever seen going forward, but the three best chances for Tottenham today… the Son one where he hits the bar, he should be tucked in nearer. The goal, he should have stopped him coming inside… the Danny Rose one at the end, he got caught and dived in.

“He also gave a couple of free kicks away. He’s got to become as serious about his defending as he is about his attacking play. Today, Tottenham could have scored two or three goals, and he could have been sat in that changing room now on a losing team or a team that drew because of his defensive play, could have cost his team. He can become world class if he adds some composure.”

TBR’s View – Neville knows what it takes to be a top right back and gets this one right

Many Liverpool fans will scoff at Neville criticising a local academy product who is doing amazing things right now, but if there’s one thing he knows about, it’s how to make it as a homegrown right back at one of England’s two biggest clubs.

There’s a reason Alexander-Arnold has been dropped out by Jurgen Klopp for some bigger games and why Gareth Southgate is yet to fully embrace him and it’s the defensive slackness Neville refers to.

Let’s get it right – and Neville was at pains to point it out – Alexander-Arnold is a sensational talent doing sensational things. But he still needs to improve defensively and on another day, Son would have made him pay a higher price.