Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Carragher explains how Alexander-Arnold has improved, as he disagrees with Neville over Liverpool full-backs

Trent Alexander-Arnold Andrew Robertson Liverpool May 2022

Jamie Carragher believes that Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has improved physically in the last few months.

Alexander-Arnold has been one of Jurgen Klopp’s mainstays at Liverpool again this season. In fact the 23-year-old, who has won every major club trophy available to him, has played 45 times already this season.

He has scored twice and provided 19 assists, but it’s the defensive side of his game that has been criticised. In fact it’s that facet of his game which meant he was overlooked by England boss Gareth Southgate last year.

But Carragher believes he has seen a difference in Alexander-Arnold recently. The former Reds defender thinks Alexander-Arnold looks a lot stronger when in one-on-one situations.

In an Instagram chat with Gary Neville after Monday Night Football, Carragher said: “I think his defending has improved.

“He was fantastic in the FA Cup final.

“He looks like he has bulked up and filled out, whether he is getting bigger or stronger. Or he is on a weights programme.

“He looks a lot more like a real man in that shirt now. When he’s defending, he didn’t have the power. He will never have the full power of a Reece James or a Kyle Walker.

“But he’s a lot stronger in his body, so when somebody is running at him, he can get that shoulder and arm across. I have noticed that a lot more in the last four or five months, his defending improving.”

 

“He’s always got that ability to create and Liverpool miss Trent more than any other club would miss their full-back. Just because of his role in the team.

Alexander-Arnold disagreement

“Without him they would not create as much, because they do not have a De Bruyne in the midfield. They have Thiago but he’s a passer and doesn’t necessarily get assists. Trent is a massive part of Liverpool.”

Neville then asked who was the best full-back in the top flight and Carragher went with Alexander-Arnold. The former Man Utd man disagreed.

Neville said: “I do think he (Alexander-Arnold) has defended better in the last month, I agree with you there.

“His forward play is outstanding, but when I looked at the stats. Trent has had 12 assists in the Premier League and Andy Robertson 10 and if you said to me would you trade off two assists for Robertson’s impetus on the left and the defensive quality then all day long I would.

“I think Robertson is the best full-back in the league.”

Asked by Neville if Carragher thought Alexander-Arnold was the best he replied: “Yes.”