Add as preferred source on Google

Jamie Redknapp has given a critical assessment on the performance of Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold this season.

Alexander-Arnold, who came out of the Reds academy, has been an ever-present for a Jurgen Klopp side that have won the Champions League and Premier League in the past couple of years.

The 22-year-old hasn’t hit the same heights this season for a Liverpool team currently sat sixth in the league table.

Sky Sports pundit Redknapp has spoken about how the right-back’s levels have dipped in recent months, before adding that several individuals needs to work harder to get to their very best.

It’s fair to suggest he’s speaking about the England international within that group, who has rightfully discussed as one of the best full-backs across Europe.

“Trent Alexander-Arnold, last year and the year before, his levels have been so high – the best right-back in the world we were talking about – he’s not been the same player this year,” Redknapp said, as quoted by Sky Sports.

That can be through a number of reasons – is he thinking, ‘I’ve cracked it?’ All I have to do is turn up and play’ and maybe not do the basics of what made him one of the best right-backs, which was great defending, great going forward, working hard to stop the opposition first and foremost

“I have seen a drop off and if he’s honest he’ll look in the mirror and say I’ve not been as good this year.

“When you get a bit of criticism, what you’ve got to do is look at yourself and think can I do better? And there’s a number of players who can do better, make no mistake. Individuals have to do better. They’ll know that. They have to work harder.”

TBR’s View:

They might not be aware of it, but perhaps subconsciously some of the Liverpool players have just dipped mentally five per cent.

Pundits should be careful going hard at players that worked flat-out for two years to eventually win the Premier League title last season, which is why there must have been a great release when they finally achieved it.

It’s fair to say horrid injury luck has played a role in the poor season so far, but they have enough talent still available to them and players can improve.

Alexander-Arnold hasn’t quite been at his dazzling best, but the Liverpool-born right-back has shown his huge character already at the age of 22 and it won’t be a surprise to see him overcome a blip.