Jurgen Klopp accused of Trent Alexander-Arnold failure - 'He got slaughtered'

14 June 2024 , 13:40

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Jurgen Klopp with Trent Alexander-Arnold during a Liverpool training session

Trent Alexander-Arnold was let down at Liverpool by Jurgen Klopp, according to one-time England manager Sam Allardyce.

Allardyce said that he rates the England star highly, particularly when in possession, but he has found it “difficult to understand” why he never improved defensively at Anfield - and insists Klopp allowed his frailties to be exposed too often.

The former manager of Merseyside rivals Everton, among another dozen teams, believes it was a result of Klopp not offering Alexander-Arnold sufficient protection.

Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Allardyce said: "Trent Alexander-Arnold ’s weakest point is his defending. It is difficult to understand that Jurgen Klopp was at Liverpool for so long and we still haven’t seen his defending get any better. When Liverpool had a tough time with injuries, he got exposed more than ever.

‌“He is a fantastic player and he’s brilliant on the ball. He can thread a 60-yard pass as well as anyone else can play a ball 20 yards, that’s how good his passing is.

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“In the three-year period where Liverpool were winning the Premier League and Champions League he hardly ever had to defend, so that part of his game never really got exposed until they got a lot of injuries and started losing games.

“He got slaughtered for his defending but it looks like he’s overcome that due to the fact that he can also play in midfield."

Trent Alexander-Arnold in action for England during their friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina. (Getty Images)

But Allardyce believes that Alexander-Arnold can make a huge impact in England’s midfield over the next month. He is tipped to start alongside both Arsenal star Declan Rice and Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham when Gareth Southgate sets his team out against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday night.

The Three Lions then face Denmark, whom they defeated at Wembley in the previous Euros, before completing the group stage against Slovenia.

“People will say that he won’t be as effective as Declan Rice or Jude Bellingham in midfield but they don’t know what they’re talking about, they need to keep their mouths shut,” Allardyce added.

Alan Smith