Trent Alexander-Arnold’s game is being hampered by the absence of captain Jordan Henderson reckons a former Liverpool player.
The form of the Reds home-grown hero has been a hot topic of debate ever since he was surprisingly left out by Gareth Southgate from the England squad for last month’s trio of World Cup qualifiers.
After the selection was made, an article in the Athletic stated that Alexander-Arnold’s omission had “been greeted with sense of shock and bemusement at Liverpool ”; where he was among the players given time off on the assumption he would be representing his country.
It was added that the 22-year-old was understood to be “devastated” at missing out, with Jurgen Klopp regarding him as one of Liverpool’s standout performers since December.
Gary Lineker has said that he was “bewildered” by the decision; Micah Richards launched into an impassioned rant in the player’s defence; Glenn Hoddle said the Liverpool player had “taken his foot off the pedal” but could learn from the snub; Alan Shearer maintained Alexander-Arnold is still “the best right-back in the country” while after the Scouser provided an assist for Diogo Jota in his first game back, a 3-0 victory at Arsenal, Danny Murphy hailed his crossing ability as something not seen since David Beckham.
Now another Anfield old boy has waded into the mix, with Joe Cole claiming that the absence from the side of skipper Henderson – currently sidelined after undergoing surgery on a groin injury – is impacting on Alexander-Arnold’s displays.
The Focus quote Cole as telling BT Sport: “I think Alexander-Arnold has missed Henderson massively.
“You underestimate the job Henderson does with his legs, where he’s got that ability (to fill in).
“It means Trent isn’t second-guessing when he’s going forward.
“Now he’s worried about whether he can go or not. That split second of doubt puts him in an uncomfortable position.”
