Danny Murphy gives honest verdict on Trent Alexander Arnold’s drop in form at Liverpool

Speaking to Daily Mail (h/t Liverpool Echo), former Liverpool player Danny Murphy has laid out his opinion on the form of right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and admits he needs to resolve his defensive weaknesses or else can potentially miss his World Cup place.

Talking about the defender’s average start to the season, he said:

 “He has to look at his positional play and smell danger a bit quicker. He has been given free rein for a long time.

“It’s more a lack of sharpness or failing to do the basics when you’ve not had any competition for your position.”

Alexander- Arnold has been guilty of being the centre point behind a leaky defence and is often caught way up the field during opposition counterattacks.

With no real competition for the right-back slot, the right-back has found a comfortable spot and been given free rein which can be attributed as a major factor behind his lack of form.

Gareth Southgate has a plethora of right-back options to choose from for the final FIFA World Cup squad with Reece James, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker all competing for the same spot.

Trent needs to improve drastically on his defensive awareness and positioning to become a better all-round player to be the first choice right back for England.

Murphy was quick to praise Trent’s willingness to learn and admitted his surety that the defender would come out of the recent slump. He then advised Liverpool’s backroom staff to have a chat with the England international and let him know his defensive frailties.

“I’m not saying Trent is the same but the coaches at Liverpool could spend more time with him analysing the defensive parts of his game that need work. He is a good listener so his issues are easily resolved.”

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We urgently require several key players to level up their form and truly kickstart the season ahead of a tough list of fixtures. Trent is central to the way we play and it is no secret that the Reds depend on their full-backs for creating chances.

Hence, an upturn in Trent and even Andrew Robertson’s form could see a change in the club’s fortunes. It is easy to point out to our midfield and lay the blame on injury issues, but the senior stars that are playing have to do more – Trent included.