Danny Murphy has claimed that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s creativity from right-back is causing Liverpool problems.
The defender was left out of Gareth Southgate‘s England squad for their World Cup qualifiers in March.
His form has improved since then, though. He has been integral as Liverpool continue to push for a top-four spot.
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As cited by the Liverpool Echo, Murphy has suggested that there is a lot of pressure on Alexander-Arnold to perform:
“He’s been brilliant for a while but he looks sharp and fit to me. He’s got that sharpness back and always plays with great confidence going forward.
“His decision-making is good and his defensive side was good today. He had that extra burst of pace which he was maybe lacking a little bit earlier in the season, which is understandable by the way because he’s played non-stop for two years as a young lad.
“The worrying thing for Liverpool is that he’s becoming the playmaker, the creator, from a full-back position.
“Other players need to do better. Every good move Liverpool had came through him and that’s happened to Manchester United as well. It’s happened in a few games.
“Taking corners in the last minute of games, you have to get a good delivery. I’ve done it, it’s hard, it’s pressure. He doesn’t feel that pressure.
“He consistently delivers beautiful crosses and passes even under massive moments of pressure.
“He’s a wonderful talent. He’s the most unique as he can win you a game and he’s got to go to the EUROs.”
Meanwhile, The Athletic have reported that Alexander-Arnold is likely to be left out of Southgate’s England squad for the Euros:
“It is evident that Southgate wants his full-backs to show strong defensive qualities alongside their attacking instincts and there appear to be reservations over Alexander-Arnold’s ability to strike that balance as well as he believes the other candidates for the position are able to.
“Although the door is not closed on the 22-year-old Liverpool academy graduate and the Football Association very much envisages him being part of its set-up in the future, it is understood to be improbable that he forces his way into this summer’s plans barring injuries or a change of heart.”