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Rio Ferdinand has told his YouTube channel FIVE that Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold now has a “target on his back” as players are beginning to find out his flaws, the longer he delves into his career at Anfield.
Still only 22, Alexander-Arnold has clocked up a whopping 160 appearances for the Reds, as well as earning 12 caps for England. But this season, his drop in form has coincided with Liverpool’s struggling results, as they look to retain the title.
That seems out of the question after City went 10 points clear at the top with a 4-1 win. Alexander-Arnold is renowned for his attacking prowess from right-back but without Jordan Henderson to cover him, his defensive flaws have risen to the surface.
Speaking about Alexander-Arnold, Ferdinand believes the initial couple of seasons honeymoon period is now over. He thinks opposition wingers are now targeting the England man – such as Raheem Sterling on Sunday evening.
“I was speaking to him off camera and we spoke about how you get a bit of grace in your first couple of seasons. In the third, fourth season, they prepare for you – one of the best right-backs in the world,” Ferdinand said. “Now he has a target on his back.
“Sterling has got a bit of history to look back on on Trent. He’s had a down turn in form, it will be interesting to see how he comes back. He needs to get the one-on-one area of his game locked down, before other players start to look at it.”
TBR’s view – Alexander-Arnold needs to improve, before Euro 2021
Coming into the start of the season, it was clear that Alexander-Arnold would start for England at Euro 2021. Yes, he has defensive flaws, but his attacking qualities outweigh those flaws – placing him ahead of Kieran Trippier and others.
But that place might now be in doubt. Not only is Alexander-Arnold struggling for form, but he has a plethora of right-back looking to steal his spot. Trippier, Kyle Walker, Reece James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, James Justin and more.
If he is to start at Euro 2021, he needs to improve and fast.
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