Former Chelsea defender and World Cup winner Frank LeBoeuf has been left bewildered by Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold's inability to defend. Despite being one of the best attacking full-backs of this generation, the England international has often been blamed for not doing enough to help his team defend.
His defensive frailties were on display yet again in the Reds' 2-2 draw against Fulham in their first fixture of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign on August 6. The Liverpool right-back went missing in the 32nd minute of the game when the Cottagers counter-attacked and Kenny Tete floated a cross towards the far post.
Fulham centre-forward Aleksandar Mitrovic attacked the ball with power and beat Alisson to score the first goal of the game. With all due credit to the Serbian, it was Alexander-Arnold who was mostly responsible for the goal with his timid defending. One may even call it a lack of defending.
Speaking on the ESPN FC show, LeBoeuf showed no mercy to the Liverpool academy product. He said:
“Well I think we have to make a statement. Alexander-Arnold is absolutely fantastic when he has the ball and he’s really poor when he has to defend. That’s what it is and it’s no offense to say that. It's clear for me and we have so many evidence that he doesn't do well when he has to defend."
Further, the Frenchman explained how he saw the situation and how easy it was for the Reds ace to avoid conceding a goal.
He said:
"In that matter it was very easy, he just has to stop a little bit to make Mitrovic delay his run and he would have never gotten the ball. He knows Mitrovic is behind him, and he still put his body down to allow him to hit his header. That's crazy, makes no sense for me. I don't understand, maybe he's the only one who can explain what he wanted to do in that moment."
Liverpool got back into the game in the second-half through new boy Darwin Nunez, who scored with some clever improvisation on his Premier League debut. Mitrovic emerged as a threat again, winning the penalty in a one-on-one situation against Virgil van Dijk and then converting it with sheer confidence.
However, Fulham, for all their hard work, could not stop Jurgen Klopp's side from restoring parity. Mohamed Salah scored the second equalizer in the 80th minute as the Reds could only take one point on the opening day.
Liverpool could make a bid for AC Milan midfielder
CalcioMercatoWeb reported that the Anfield outfit might launch a bid for AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer due to multiple injuries in their camp. Curtis Jones, Naby Keita and Alex Oxalde-Chamberlain are all sidelined for the Reds. To add to their woes, Thiago Alcantara also suffered a hamstring injury against Fulham.
Hence, it is being suggested that to stay on the safe side, Liverpool are planning on sending an offer for Bennacer to the Rossoneri in the coming days. The Algerian has a release clause of €50 million but Liverpool are expected to bid a lesser amount.
Daubelmruy
2
ok
vomabdemnp
0
The game would be totally different if Kloop start nunez
or tsimikas for Robertson, He has been as bad as taa.
Redheartliverpool
0
Liverpool fc should buy new strong right back 🥇
they bought Calvin we don't need a new rb we need a midfielder who can cover taa like barella or we can play Curtis too but not Elliott he is also weak at defending
Redheartliverpool
0
Trent is a world class player but he has to improve in his defensive skills
I don't think taa has the defence ability we need a midfielder to cover up taa defence for that we have to play Curtis jones or buy barella, Bellingham but we can't play Elliot on that position as he is also poor at defense
Bohampr
0
d guy just can't be compared to Reece James cos James has everything he can defend and hes's very good when it comes to attack
shut up if you don't know what to say
setadosuz
0
totally careless...
rahiklmy
1
Trent is a world class player but he has to improve in his defensive skills
Puuailmrt
0
TAA. is too high on the opponent's half and running down to defend is a tough job.
CHAMPIONS77
7
And they compare him with CAFU,the only man to have played three consecutive world cup finals. CAFU was the best right back defensively as well as attacking wise. Arnold is nowhere near CAFU's level
my-blood-is-red
0
i still blame klopp for not starting with Nunez
shut up
my-blood-is-red
0
d guy just can't be compared to Reece James cos James has everything he can defend and hes's very good when it comes to attack
how good is he when it comes to attack mumu
my-blood-is-red
0
TAA is bad in defending, Junior slip to scored in the CL final
that wasn't TAA's fault man 🙄 they were to cover up for him as he was not in is position. he had to track back by then it was too late. Van dijk was the one that didn't mark
my-blood-is-red
0
its midfield which is problem..no creativity no ball holding..all look for full backs to make passes and forward runs every time..deliver a assist..need a young midfielder
if you're looking for a young midfielder cavalho is there just give him time
Ziyeiopru
1
Liverpool fc should buy new strong right back 🥇
Ziyeiopru
2
trent Alexander Arnold can't defend 💯
vohceinor
0
its midfield which is problem..no creativity no ball holding..all look for full backs to make passes and forward runs every time..deliver a assist..need a young midfielder
Jibdilrs
0
I don’t agreed TAA was that bad as LeBoeuf said. The matter was the failure of MF control, the re-take of second ball and had allowed too much room for their opponent to proceeds forward. Once when participating in attack is a majority part of a RB, you shouldn’t expect he will be 100% engage in defend. This give and take has to be bear by other members. If you have to blame, blame the whole team and the coach.
TAA is bad in defending, Junior slip to scored in the CL final
Tepdeortz
1
Midfield is complete disaster and slow. Nothing new here. Klopp keeps making the same mistake in formations and tactics against deep defending teams.
skychilee
0
I don’t agreed TAA was that bad as LeBoeuf said. The matter was the failure of MF control, the re-take of second ball and had allowed too much room for their opponent to proceeds forward. Once when participating in attack is a majority part of a RB, you shouldn’t expect he will be 100% engage in defend. This give and take has to be bear by other members. If you have to blame, blame the whole team and the coach.
Socackmpsu
0
Nonsense. Mitrovic attack the ball with power climbing over Arnold to knock the ball past the keeper. Stop describing situations to make the guy look bad, you are wrong reporter because he ran back but didn't jump when he should.
Stop giving yourself a head ache my brother, some people cannot accept simple fact and that's why they always keep on making silly mistakes in their whole life. Anold himselves knows he should have stopped Mitrovic at all costs before he gets past him to scored that ball.
Yasaeiklpu
0
this ESPN talkatives❌
yeackmuz
0
The game would be totally different if Kloop start nunez
not so. ..the defender at FAULT!!
nuscelptyz
1
Nonsense. Mitrovic attack the ball with power climbing over Arnold to knock the ball past the keeper. Stop describing situations to make the guy look bad, you are wrong reporter because he ran back but didn't jump when he should.
U are also typing jargons. Arnold was there b4 Mitrovic but he allowed Mutrovic to come from behind, overpowered him and headed d ball into d net. Isn't that a weakness on his part?
rinisuy
0
The game would be totally different if Kloop start nunez
Maebosu
3
d guy just can't be compared to Reece James cos James has everything he can defend and hes's very good when it comes to attack
ALEXANDERSALEKXZ10
2
still has a lot of time.... to develop his game
AlAzeem
2
Arnold is totally zero when it comes to defense no doubt.
Badhur
1
Va te faire fourré le petit con de français
Miaikopruy
0
The mistakes came from Robertson
AbdulZaks008
1
i still blame klopp for not starting with Nunez
Emmasundayudo
1
Nonsense. Mitrovic attack the ball with power climbing over Arnold to knock the ball past the keeper. Stop describing situations to make the guy look bad, you are wrong reporter because he ran back but didn't jump when he should.