Jamie Redknapp comments on Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold

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Jamie Redknapp has told Sky Sports that Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is currently “way off it” and is one of a number of Reds players that is feeling sorry for himself – following the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.

The 22-year-old has been one of the players to have suffered from the loss of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez – as Jordan Henderson has moved into defence and his defensive cover has been lost. It has highlighted weaknesses.

Alexander-Arnold has been forced to defend more this season than in the past – and is struggling. Clearly, the England man is much better going forward than he is when defending, and Redknapp has criticised him.

Following a match in which Mason Mount scored the winner after cutting inside from Alexander-Arnold’s flank, Redknapp delivered a scathing attack of the right-back – stating his confidence seems “extremely low”.

“Too many players are feeling sorry for themselves. Last year, Trent Alexander-Arnold, best right-back in the country. This season, he’s well off it. Doesn’t look the same player. Confidence is extremely low,” Redknapp said.

TBR’s view – Should Liverpool drop Alexander-Arnold?

It is clear that Alexander-Arnold needs a spell on the sidelines to come out of the firing line. It is a tactic that Carlo Ancelotti has used with Jordan Pickford – using Robin Olsen in a few games, and it has seen Pickford improve.

The difficulty in doing that, is that the levels between Alexander-Arnold and next-available option Neco Williams are very different. Williams is far behind Alexander-Arnold, while James Milner is not a natural right-back.

It is clear that Liverpool need a replacement right-back, first of all – and that Alexander-Arnold needs a break. However, the Reds academy product – who has five assists this season – probably will not get it.