Jamie Carragher questions Trent Alexander-Arnold’s long-term role in Liverpool future

Jamie Carragher has cast doubt over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future at Liverpool with the right-back’s defensive qualities continuing to be a problem for a team in transition

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Jamie Carragher admits Trent Alexander-Arnold “might not be Liverpool’s man” if they have to challenge for the Champions League and called on them to sign a new right-back.

The former Red has long been a defender of Alexander-Arnold with his latest view representing something of a u-turn. Jurgen Klopp’s side have enjoyed huge success in recent times with their academy graduate a stalwart at right-back, yet there have been continued reservations about his defensive qualities.

Alexander-Arnold has been snubbed by England on numerous occasions, but has played in a Liverpool side that have covered for his deficiencies. Now though, with the Reds enduring a notable downturn this season, the 24-year-old has been continuously exposed.

Carragher has claimed on CBS Sports following his latest error: “That cant continue, what’s happened this season and the amount of times he’s been lacking defensively.” The pundit has also questioned the advice being given to Alexander-Arnold, who he believes needs competition.

The right-back’s quality in the final third has previously been seen as a sufficient price to pay for what he lacks as a defender, but Carragher has questioned whether, with Liverpool battling for the top four and in a transitional phase, Alexander-Arnold is the man they need at this moment.

He added: “He’s won everything, done fantastic and I’m so proud of him, but he needs help. He needs to have a long think at the end of the season about where he is as a right-back. I’ve always defended him and he’s played for one of the best teams in the world which means you do a lot more attacking than you do defending.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defending has long been criticised (

Image:

Sebastian Frej/MB Media)

“We all know his defending isn’t good enough – and I don’t think it will ever be good enough. We’re talking about a player who’s played 260 games now – it is not going to massively improve. When Liverpool drop off and aren’t one of the best in Europe, now they’re one of the pack. They now do more defending, less attacking. You see the worst traits of Trent and not his strengths going forward and that’s a massive problem.

“If Liverpool are trying to qualify for the Champions League on a yearly basis, I’m not sure Trent is your man at right-back. If they get back to being one of Europe’s best, then he is your man, but right now he needs help.”

The Reds are expected to make major moves in the transfer market this summer, but a right-back has not been touted as a priority. Instead it is their midfield, which had been allowed to age, which is seen as a problem area with the likes of Jude Bellingham on their radar.

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