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Ex-Liverpool star gets 'mad' over Trent Alexander-Arnold as ace slammed for 'not trying'
Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has brutally been accused of 'not trying' when defending.
Former Liverpool star Jose Enrique admits he gets ‘mad’ at Trent Alexander-Arnold and has accused the Reds ace of ‘not even trying’ to defend. In a strong outburst, Enrique admits he would have the England international in his Premier League team of the season, but says he is conflicted over Alexander-Arnold’s ability to defend.
Alexander-Arnold’s attacking output has forced Enrique to include the 25-year-old at right-back in his team of the year. However, the Spaniard has grown frustrated over his defensive displays and believes he often allows wingers to go past him.
Enrique believes that Alexander-Arnold no longer wants to play in the position, insisting he does not enjoy defending.
“Trent would be my right-back in the Premier League team of the season so far. I don’t think I could put him in a midfield spot at the moment because technically he is still down as playing as a right-back,” Enrique told Grosvenor Sport.
"In that position there is no one that can provide what he can. What he offers offensively makes it impossible not to pick him.
“It is true that his defending is a weakness but offensively he is amazing. For me, the problem is not necessarily how good of a defender he is, it is the way players go past him. Sometimes it looks like he is just letting the winger past. It makes me mad because it looks like he is not even trying!
“When he tries you can see that he is actually not such a bad defender. When he doesn’t want to defend, which is most of the time because I don’t think he wants to play right-back anymore, it makes me so mad.”
There has been plenty of debate over Alexander-Arnold’s best position over the last two years. The Liverpool vice-captain has recently been deployed in a hybrid role that sees him move into midfield from right-back when the Reds have possession.
Earlier this season, head coach Jurgen Klopp conceded that he had grown frustrated over the discussion around Alexander-Arnold’s best position.
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"We play him where we think it's best for him and then people say 'he has to play there, play there. He became one of the most successful players in the history of Liverpool, in the recent history, playing as a right-back,” Klopp said.
"He will play where it is best for us, that's just how it is. I'm not stubborn and don't not want to play him in midfield, not at all, but I am not part of the discussion.
"We still have to make decisions on what is best for the team and Trent sees it exactly the same way. He wants to play and from my point of view he has to be influential and we have to make sure we help him with the positioning."