Gary Lineker has openly expressed his annoyance at the criticism directed towards Liverpool’s fullback, Trent Alexander-Arnold, regarding his defensive skills.
The 25-year-old English international emerged as the hero for Liverpool in their recent match against Fulham, scoring the crucial winning goal and securing all three points in a dramatic encounter.
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After a notable performance, including a draw against Manchester City the previous week, Alexander-Arnold has garnered praise from Lineker, who commended the defender on The Rest is Football.
However, Lineker also used the opportunity to voice his frustration regarding persistent critiques of Alexander-Arnold’s defensive abilities.
Despite playing exclusively as a right-back throughout his senior career, the Match of the Day pundit took issue with the characterization of him as a subpar defender.
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Gary Lineker on Trent Alexander-Arnold
The English broadcaster and former footballer said:
“He is a wonderful footballer. I mean, I have been a fan of his for many years. Everyone knows that, in fact from the first few times I saw him I used to think he has got to be a midfield player and I think he was a youngster. It was one of those situations where they see a talent and they think we will get him in the team but you can’t get him in his position.
He ends up going to right-back and he was so good for so long that he became a right-back. It irritates me a little bit when people say he’s not very good at defending and every slight error or any goal that goes in on that side of the pitch against Liverpool.
People have a pop at him but I think the positives of his forward play and his passing, I think he is certainly the best passer of the ball in the English game at the moment. And probably in a much bigger area than that, maybe even Europe. His range of passing, outside the foot, inside the foot, long passes and short passes and crosses, of course.
But I’m loving him in this new role where he drifts into midfield. Gareth Southgate has tried him in midfield as well and I think that could work for England, alongside Rice, as Gareth likes to play two and you could play Bellingham in front of them.”
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Criticism of Alexander-Arnold’s defensive skills has been present since he first joined Liverpool’s first team.
While acknowledging the need for improvement in his defensive game, it is asserted that this aspect won’t hinder Alexander-Arnold from potentially becoming the best right-back in Premier League history.
At 25 years old, he is recognized as a technical genius and a unique talent in English football due to his exceptional ball skills.
The expectation is that as he enhances his defensive abilities, Alexander-Arnold has the potential to become an even more influential figure for Liverpool, with limitless possibilities in his role as a right-back.
Liverpool is my Religion and Anfield is my Church. 17th May 1996 the date I had my blood coloured red. The one you love the most you can not live without it and that is football to me.
