Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool theory raised as pundits reach agreement

Gary Lineker has supported remarks from Jamie Redknapp regarding Liverpool 'missing' Trent Alexander-Arnold this campaign. The Merseyside club offloaded the right-back to Real Madrid at the beginning of the summer window, bringing closure to months of relentless rumours.

Alexander-Arnold was poised to depart Liverpool without a fee, but terms were struck with Real for the defender's exit before his contract ran out, enabling him to feature in the FIFA Club World Cup. The Reds subsequently brought in Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen as Alexander-Arnold's replacement, while right-back Conor Bradley remains at Anfield.

Saturday witnessed Liverpool suffer a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League, marking their third straight loss in all competitions, reports the Liverpool Echo. Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, Lineker reckons the Reds are lacking Alexander-Arnold's attacking contribution this term.

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"In terms of creativity, as much as anything else, I think they're really missing Trent [Alexander-Arnold]," said Lineker.

"Before that, sometimes Trent would go forward and they would, perhaps, get exposed defensively. But what he gives you going the other way, it's impossible to replace.

"There is not another player I can think of in world football who plays that position [right-back] in the way that he plays it offensively.

"I also think that Mo [Salah] is missing him, that connection that they had. Yes, sometimes they would get exposed in behind, but they would have someone try and cover that position - last season it was mostly [Dominik] Szoboszlai, previous to that would be Jordan Henderson.

"You've got to say it was worth his weight in gold going forward, and I always used to say, 'Stop worrying about him [Alexander-Arnold] making the odd tiny mistake defensively, because what he gives you the other way is incredible."

Lineker's observations mirror those made by Redknapp at the weekend, with the former Liverpool legend also believing his former side are struggling at right-back.

Redknapp outlined how Alexander-Arnold's unavailability has caused 'difficulties' for manager Arne Slot this campaign.

"They've got problems at full-back. They're missing Trent [Alexander-Arnold]," Redknapp told Sky Sports on Saturday.

"They haven't played the same right-back since the Burnley game. Bradley had a tough 45 minutes. [Milos] Kerkez hasn't quite adapted either - the pressure of playing for Bournemouth isn't the same.

"They have problems all over the pitch, but especially at full-back with [Andy] Robertson's injury at the end. This international break could be a good chance to reset."

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