Martin Keown stresses Trent Alexander-Arnold importance to Liverpool

Add as preferred source on Google

Martin Keown has claimed that defender Trent Alexander-Arnold holds so much value to Liverpool and feels his absence was noticeably in the previous game.

The Reds were knocked out of the FA Cup in the fifth round following a 2-0 away defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with manager Jurgen Klopp resting a few of his main men.

The result means that the Merseyside giants are left chasing down a Premier League title that seems inevitable, plus they have to try overturn a one-goal deficit against Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Alexander-Arnold was rested for the FA Cup fixture in midweek, but is set to return on Saturday afternoon against Bournemouth.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed a brilliant season so far, where he’s been part of a resilient defence from the right-back spot.

He’s also weighed in with 14 assists in 38 games across all competitions and is a constant attacking outlet for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

“His range of passing and crossing ability was missed at Stamford Bridge. Has there ever been a better deliverer of the ball by a full-back than this 21-year-old? I’m not sure there has and his absence let Chelsea off the hook,” Keown told the Daily Mail.

“He now needs to come back in, because he is key to Liverpool’s set-up, and they could do with a win before tackling Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid at Anfield.

TBR’s View:

Alexander-Arnold has to be in the conversation for one of the elite full-backs in the world and the fact he’s come through the academy at Liverpool must make it even sweeter for them.

There isn’t anyone else who could emulate the role the England international has on the Liverpool team, as he receives so much of the ball in the right channel and his delivery into the box is so precise.

Him and opposite Reds full-back Andy Robertson must be a nightmare for opponents to deal with when they constantly push down the wing.