Robbie Mustoe accused Trent Alexander-Arnold of 'cowering' under the cross that Aleksandar Mitrovic headed in to give Fulham a shock lead against Liverpool on Saturday.
The Serbia striker latched on to a Kenny Tete cross and towered over Alexander-Arnold to power a header beyond Alisson in the 32nd minute at Craven Cottage.
And assessing the pattern of play on NBC, Mustoe pinned the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of Alexander-Arnold.
'That's what you want your No 9 (Mitrovic) to do,' Mustoe said. 'Liverpool have plenty of numbers back but Trent Alexander-Arnold has got to be stronger.
'This tells you everything - he doesn't jump, he's kind of cowering a little bit, he's not facing the play, he's not aware what's behind him and that's just smashed at the back post there.'
Peter Crouch on BT Sport shared a similarly blunt perspective.
The former Liverpool striker said: 'As a forward, you see those crosses and your eyes light up.
'Fulham get the ball down the side, this ball here (Tety's delivery) - I used to do it a lot, pull on the full-back. And Trent just couldn’t deal with it.
'He’s [Trent] got to be stronger. As you jump, you can barge him or put him off or even hold onto him. You need to have more strength there defensively.'
Premier League debutant Darwin Nunez equalized for Liverpool but the scores were only level for eight minutes.
Virgil van Dijk tripped Mitrovic in the penalty area and the striker picked himself up and scored from the spot for 2-1.
Alexander-Arnold enjoyed a stronger start to the season last week in the Community Shield, scoring Liverpool's opener in the 3-1 win against Manchester City.
Ziyeiopru
0
LFC need to buy right back like Kyle walker 💯🙏. trent Alexander Arnold can't defend 💯🙏
Ziyeiopru
0
trent Alexander Arnold is not good enough 🙏💯 i don't think this Liverpool FC team will win uefa champions league trophy and premier league trophy 🏆 2023. such a looser club Liverpool FC 🤣🤣😂🤣😂😂
Deathstroke
0
Because he is dumb & Ignorant Li VAR fool fan
they will win quadruple again😂
Baddteflon
0
United to Liverpool
tumbcdemrs
0
Now Liverpool can only get 112 points
I'm serious YNWA
Chopper222
2
Me after staking for Liverpool FC[Crylaugh]
Zokapee
1
He was scared. He even closed his eyes.
wusbmnrsz
0
YNWA...You Never Win Again. How much did Liverpool spend on Darwin to get 1 goal??? How much Fulham spent on Mitrovic to get 2 goalsss??? 🤣🤣🤣
Awesome 👌
wusbmnrsz
0
one day you're the best right back in the world ,then one mistake makes you the worst ever. Robbie how can you pundits be pleased? Not every day is going to be a good day for the footballers,come on man give credit when it's due and sympathise with them when things go bad don't hang them out to dry. fcksake
Truth Hurts kidddoooo [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
wusbmnrsz
0
Now Liverpool can only get 112 points
Joke of Century [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Winsetclearance
0
I want Gomez instead of matip and bring in camavinga as long as the transfer window still open I don't care how but for fuck's sake we need a quality midfielder like him who can penetrate ball into the final third not just spraying passes to the side, I'm just done with matip no patience anymore how cud klopp leave Joe on the bench and select matip he's fucking crazy. matip performs well on training but on matchday Joe plays well better than him atleast let matip plays for domestic cup and let Joe gomez Or konate rotate for the premier League otherwise we're screwed if klopp continues choosing matip.
wusbmnrsz
0
I understand and agree with what he's saying about TAA but why is it being mentioned as a shock lead isn't each team starting with a clean slate
Because he is dumb & Ignorant Li VAR fool fan
Bløcbøy
2
Mitrovic dunked like basketball
Adolphhitlerjr
1
Yes sure .....this kid should be warned that..this is EPL not party....
Vouceostz
0
I understand and agree with what he's saying about TAA but why is it being mentioned as a shock lead isn't each team starting with a clean slate
i know you're trying to be logical and stuff but please stop with this act. All of us really thought liverpool would easily outscore fulham but it was not the case. so yeah definitely shocked.
Nahdekmptu
0
one day you're the best right back in the world ,then one mistake makes you the worst ever. Robbie how can you pundits be pleased? Not every day is going to be a good day for the footballers,come on man give credit when it's due and sympathise with them when things go bad don't hang them out to dry. fcksake
yeah but when you're considered as one of the best in the world you're expected to always bring your A game
baykoptz
1
Alexander the worst defender I ever seen
Nahdekmptu
0
I understand and agree with what he's saying about TAA but why is it being mentioned as a shock lead isn't each team starting with a clean slate
leeseb9889
3
Too much rest and they turn soft. They will still be one point behind Man City this season.
tumbcdemrs
1
Now Liverpool can only get 112 points
Fiudkmos
3
one day you're the best right back in the world ,then one mistake makes you the worst ever. Robbie how can you pundits be pleased? Not every day is going to be a good day for the footballers,come on man give credit when it's due and sympathise with them when things go bad don't hang them out to dry. fcksake
zebaelmy
5
YNWA...You Never Win Again. How much did Liverpool spend on Darwin to get 1 goal??? How much Fulham spent on Mitrovic to get 2 goalsss??? 🤣🤣🤣
Ritchieking
0
TT have no brain. I no no why he no Jump for the ball. This guy don dey mad
dioeinops
1
and arsenal is leading the epl,period
Cohabdensy
1
He did the same last year in few important matches..He is not a defender
shufflebeng85
0
Arnold was a big disappointment defending today
NkelnziehSmith
3
we all know TAA isn't good defensively
VETRIX15
2
Arnold was ghost in this match
tidamnosty
2
Liverpool ,1point
Joshwill1123
1
This is a total error from Arnold he has the chance to block him even before he got the chance to jump
vinicious100
5
welcome
teeacdlpr
4
garbage defender