Trent Alexander-Arnold has been criticised for his role in the goal Liverpool conceded in the 1-0 loss in the Champions League last-16 second leg tie against Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Alexander-Arnold could have done better for Karim Benzema's strike that handed Liverpool a 1-0 defeat on the night, the tie finishing 6-2 on aggregate.
The Madrid captain ran off the back of Alexander-Arnold late in the second half as the ball fell to Vinicius Junior in the box - and he was then able to slip it to the striker before he slotted beyond Alisson Becker.
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Ferdinand spoke in the BT Sport studio after Liverpool were dumped out of the Champions League thanks to a 6-2 aggregate defeat by Madrid.
"I just want to take it back, what I want you to see is as the ball goes into the centre forward Trent Alexander-Arnold - here he is," Ferdinand said.
"You’ve got to be thinking defensively, you’ve got to be thinking 'my two centre halves are in trouble, there’s gonna be a chance and there could be a ball coming in here at some point, or at least let me get myself back in to cover my defenders'. That’s got to be your first and only thought in this phase of play.
"The ball goes through, then look at the separation as the ball comes down to Vinicius there. As he touches that ball he’s gone from being side-by-side to being five yards behind the player he was marking - that’s a world class attacking player who you can’t take your eyes off.
"How he’s got separation within two seconds-ish to get five yards and a chance at goal, he’ll be looking at that and thinking I could do better there, Trent, because you can’t switch off at this level."
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