Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has been “a bit off” in recent weeks, according to Mark Lawrenson.
The 20-year-old defender has featured in both of the Reds’ opening Premier League matches, neither of which they have managed to keep a clean sheet in.
And during his prediction for the Reds’ clash with Arsenal on Saturday, Lawrenson singled out the youngster for criticism.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “Full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold looks a little bit off so Jurgen Klopp opted to go with Joe Gomez against Chelsea and it’s a good thing there’s that competition for places.”
Lawro predicts a 2-1 win for the Reds.
OPINION
Alexander-Arnold has played every minute of the Reds’ Premier League campaign so far this season, and singling him out for criticism seems a little harsh. Yes, it is true that Liverpool haven’t been at the same imperious level at which they finished last season, but they have still taken six points from their opening two matches, and Alexander-Arnold has given a decent enough account of himself. Defensively, he has been dribbled past just once per match so far this term, and on the front foot he has managed 2.5 key passes per match, including an assist, as per Whoscored. It is true that some parts of his game could do with tweaking, and his 61.4% pass completion rate in particular is not good enough, but all things considered, his start to the season hasn’t been bad enough to warrant a dig from Lawro, not by a long way.
