Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk has leapt to the defence of team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold amid latest criticism of the right-back’s performances.
Alexander-Arnold has been the topic of loads of scrutiny following his poor defensive performances within the Premier League and Champions League.
The defender’s errors in Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, specifically, drew heavy criticism from followers and pundits.
The 23-year-old additionally didn’t function in both of England’s two Nations League video games final week, with Gareth Southgate making it clear Alexander-Arnold will not be his first-choice right-back.
But van Dijk, talking after Liverpool’s 2-0 win towards Rangers on Tuesday wherein Alexander-Arnold opened the scoring with a shocking free-kick, stated: “We know the standard he has and he confirmed it once more in the present day.
“He has been showing it over the last couple of years; he has developed as one of the best right-backs in the country.”
Your Player of the Match for #LIVRAN…
Brilliant tonight, @TrentAA pic.twitter.com/D2O9lKwPp7
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 4, 2022
Netherlands worldwide Van Dijk additionally questioned the tradition surrounding participant welfare and media scrutiny in English soccer.
He stated: “I’ve been within the UK now for eight, 9 years and everybody right here is excellent to reward a participant very excessive as much as the sky and allow them to fall as laborious as they’ll.
“That’s what we, as gamers, should cope with. Everyone is speaking about how we ought to settle for it.
“For him to just carry on working – not only him but other players as well – deal with it and show reaction today is what we need, all of us. I think it’s important that we back him.”
Liverpool’s victory towards Rangers leaves them second in Group A behind Napoli, who beat Jurgen Klopp’s males 4-1 within the opening group recreation.
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