'I am responsible', Klopp accepts his mistake for this player's poor performance

Next time I hear a critic of Alexander-Arnold, I'm going to knock him out. With classic vehemence, Jürgen Klopp was quick to quell doubts about the defensive performance of one of his most recognised players last season. It came as no surprise to anyone, as criticism of the England full-back (Liverpool, 1998) has accompanied him since his early days and exploded in the most dominant years of the German coach's time at Anfield, from 2018 to 2020. However, the Reds' poor start to the season, as with all big teams' low points, has stirred the pot of problems and brought issues to the forefront that in good times can be swept under the carpet.

In the wake of Liverpool's latest stumbles, especially in the Champions League against Napoli and the latest draw against Brighton, videos of Trent Alexander-Arnold's defensive performances have been circulating on social media. In these compilations of plays we see a Trent, out of position, uninvolved, losing position and marks, weak in one-on-ones. The coach's defence of the player is understandable, a player created (metaphorically) by the German.

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After the league match against the Seagulls, Klopp once again covered the back of the England international by apportioning responsibility: "We didn't defend well as a team". "Offensively, one player can unbalance a game, but defending is a team thing, you need everyone involved. In this way he took the blame for Alexander-Arnold's mistakes: "I am responsible".

A reasoning that is as true as it is partial in its analysis: defence is done as a team, yes, but an individual mismatch can throw the whole system into disarray. The coach's defence of the player is understandable, after all, he is his "pretty boy", a player created (metaphorically) by the German. But the truth is that Klopp's words were just another part of a case that has reopened during the international window, in which Gareth Southgate, despite calling up Liverpool's 66, has long since lost his starting place, and does not seem likely to regain it for the time being.

Klopp on Trent Alexander Arnold's performance

Returning to Klopp's point, Trent Alexander-Arnold's poor defensive form (made up for against Rangers in the Champions League with a wonder free-kick) could have two explanations. One: Liverpool defend poorly and the full-back suffers the most in that system. Two: the player's poor performance is a direct cause of Liverpool's poor defensive record. Which of these options is the real one, and what if it's both? And most importantly: is Trent Alexander-Arnold a bad defender?