“Defensively, he’s Championship level” – Chelsea legend launches astonishing attack on Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold

Former Chelsea defender Frank Lebouef has claimed that Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defending is Championship- level. The former France centre-back has criticized the English full-back’s defensive capabilities and believes that he is only effective in Jurgen Klopp’s system. In an interview with the French newspaper Journal du Dimanche , Lebouef said:

“Only [Jurgen] Klopp’s system works for him. When it doesn’t work as well as it has this season, all you see is his defensive shortcomings.”

“I want to take him with me to work on the basics. I would say to him: ‘Turn your head and look behind you, it will be better already’.”

Alexander-Arnold has struggled at the start of the season for Liverpool following what was perhaps his best campaign to date in 2021-22. The English defender has made nine appearances, contributing two assists. There has been scrutiny over his defending. His performance in the Reds’ 4-1 defeat to Napoli in the Champions League on September 7 was particularly concerning.

From an attacking perspective, the right-back flourished last season, managing a remarkable 19 assists and two goals in 47 appearances. Leboeuf is just the latest football mind to critique Alexander-Arnold’s performances as former Tottenham Hotspur manager Glenn Hoddle also believes his defensive abilities need reexamining.