Liverpool and England Trent Alexander-Arnold responds to right-back criticism

Trent Alexander-Arnold believes adhering to a specific position is 'like playing with shackles on' as the Liverpool and England right-back weathers criticism about his defensive weaknesses.

The 24-year-old has struggled for form in the early weeks of the season, like his teams in general, and then suffered an ankle injury against Arsenal on Sunday.

That is expected to sideline Alexander-Arnold for two to three weeks, taking us into November when the World Cup will be looming.

But in an interview with GQ magazine ahead of the tournament in Qatar, Alexander-Arnold has outlined his views on his role on the pitch.

'I never like to play the position, I play the game,' he said.

'You play the position, it limits you. It's like playing with shackles on.

'I've always thought that with a sensible mind, play the game, get in positions that will hurt the opposition, and at the same time do the defensive work you need to do.

'It's more: Play the game how it needs to be played.'

Alexander-Arnold backs England to go all the way at the World Cup and he says the tournament should not move from every four to every two years, as has been mooted by FIFA.

'No, it just becomes a bit too familiar. And it loses that special World Cup feeling,' he said.

'Team wouldn't change, and things wouldn't really change that much.

'Whereas every four years, you're looking at a whole new evolution of the team. It's just a lot of time for things to happen, and it gives young players more of a chance to be able to make it.'

Alexander-Arnold has a lot of work to do if he is to force his way into Gareth Southgate's England team for the World Cup.

He started just one of England's six UEFA Nations League matches and didn't even make the matchday squad for the 3-3 draw against Germany at Wembley last month.

A difficult start to the season with Liverpool hasn't helped his cause. They sit 10th in the Premier League table, with just two wins from their opening eight games, and 14 points off the top ahead of this Sunday's home clash with Manchester City.

They can, however, take a large stride towards the knockout stages of the Champions League if they beat Rangers at Ibrox on Wednesday night.