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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

Trent Alexander-Arnold told to "be smart" as RB Leipzig plan to target him

Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been told he needs to "be smart" when the Reds face RB Leipzig in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

Jurgen Klopp's side lead the tie 2-0, thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in the first leg and they are the favourites to progress to the quarter-finals.

Chris Sutton believes Liverpool will be "as good as through" if they score first but he was warned Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson that they need to "pick and choose their moments to maraud down their wings".

Writing in his column for the Daily Mail, Sutton said: "If Liverpool score first, then they’re as good as through.

Chris Sutton has told Trent Alexander-Arnold that he needs to "be smart" when Liverpool take on RB Leipzig in the Champions League (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"You expect Leipzig will target the left wing on Wednesday. Right back Trent Alexander-Arnold isn’t nearly as good defensively as he is going forward. That’s no secret — he loves venturing into the opposition half.

"Liverpool’s full backs will need to pick and choose their moments to maraud down their wings on Wednesday. Box clever. Be smart.

"Don’t gift Leipzig chances because you decided to join an attack at the wrong time."

Leipzig full-back Angelino has already suggested that his side will target Alexander-Arnold, telling Sky Sports : "I think we did quite well in the first game, we were a few times behind their full-backs.

"Their technique on the ball is really good. Alexander-Arnold with the ball is unbelievable but he’s too offensive, but that’s his best.

"So we have to exploit the weakness and hopefully we can get a few more chances like we did in the first game. We just have to put them away. That was our mistake that we didn’t put them away."

Angelino has been a major threat down the left for Leipzig, netting three goals and providing three assists in the Champions League this season.

"I have to be in the right position when we attack," he added. "The role is very offensive. We want to play offensive football, we want to have the ball and kill the teams with runs in behind.

“We try to play good football. My role is to play as high as possible and just to get the end product on the left."

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