This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Gary Neville stated that Trent Alexander-Arnold is on the verge of being a world-class right-back, but made it clear that he needs to work on one area of his game if that is to happen.
What did he say?
The Liverpool right-back is praised frequently, primarily for his ability on the ball, with Jamie Carragher previously labelling him as the Reds’ version of Kevin De Bruyne – suggesting that a future in midfield could perhaps await.
Alexander-Arnold was key to a lot of what Liverpool did well against Spurs, too, leading to plaudits from Neville about his attacking play.
However, the former Manchester United player is concerned about the defensive side of his game. He often finds himself out of position – it was an area exploited in the match against Sheffield United – and Neville believes that until he addresses the weakness, he can’t be considered world-class.
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Speaking post-match on Sky Sports’ coverage of Liverpool vs Tottenham, he said: “Liverpool’s full-backs are quite simply sensational.
“Robertson is a better full-back than Trent Alexander-Arnold in my opinion.
After reminiscing over his full Premier League debut away at Man United and describing him as one of the best attacking full-backs he’s ever seen, Neville delivered a frank verdict on how he needs to improve from a defensive standpoint.
“He’s got to become as serious about his defending as he is about his attacking player and you’ve got a world class full back there,” Neville said.
“I took the Man of the Match off him because his defensive play could have cost his team.”
Due to Liverpool’s dominance of the ball – with an average of 58% possession this term – his positioning often goes punished, but it could be a reason why he is often left out of the England starting line-up; on his last start against Kosovo his poor defending cost his team goals.
Harsh from Neville
The pundit is quick to criticise Alexander-Arnold – who is valued at £72m by Transfermarkt – but the 21-year-old barely put a foot wrong in a defensive aspect against Spurs, and arguably his only poor moment came in failing to close down Heung-min Son in the build-up to the visitors’ goal.
Jamie Carragher was quick to leap to his defence, describing him as Liverpool’s most creative outlet, and since his 19 assists from the beginning of 2018/19 – with three this term – are not bettered by a teammate, it is clear how crucial he is to his side.
He was a threat all afternoon against Tottenham, making seven key passes, and he almost rifled the ball home from distance, too.
It is easy for Neville to point to defensive weaknesses but it is something he has improved on in the last few weeks, and he made two tackles and one interception on Sunday.
Prior to that, he made one tackle and five interceptions against Leicester but that did not prevent him from tallying five key passes, stats that underline the great balance he has in his game.
The fact he is performing this well in a side that has won the European Cup and lost just one league match in 48 suggests that he is in fact world-class.