Gary Lineker has taken to Twitter to defend Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, claiming that anybody who questions his ability “doesn’t understand football”.
The England international starred in the Reds’ 3-1 win over Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, and the Match of the Day host was eager to sing his praises after the game.
Writing on his personal Twitter account, he said: “Anyone who makes negative noise about Trent Alexander-Arnold doesn’t understand football.
“Wonderfully talented, confident, fearless and technically gifted footballer.”
Anyone who makes negative noise about @trentaa98 doesn’t understand football. Wonderfully talented, confident, fearless and technically gifted footballer. https://t.co/FHrHfzPtzq
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 10, 2019
OPINION
There seems to be this recurring habit of suggesting that Alexander-Arnold is not up to the task in his own defensive third, but to take such a view of his output really doesn’t do him justice. Against City on Sunday, he perhaps wasn’t at his best, getting dribbled past three times, as per Whoscored, but he still managed two interceptions, a tackle, and perhaps most importantly, two key passes. This is the thing with Trent, he’s part of a new breed of full-back whose focus is not entirely defensive. With an average of 3.5 key passes per match so far this season, the truth is that he is as much an attacking threat as he is a defensive asset. In that respect, it is unfair to judge him by the standards of a traditional full-back. Yes, he is perhaps better on the front foot, but yes, he can defend too, and at his age, one slightly underwhelming day at the office should not be enough to condemn him.
