Whelan issues Trent Alexander-Arnold claim after Liverpool reveal – ‘it’s not good’
Noel Whelan has suggested Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury will not help him banish his critics after an “indifferent” start to the season.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 23-year-old is “better off playing and focusing on keeping critics quiet” after his much-maligned defensive displays.
Alexander-Arnold was substituted at half-time during Liverpool’s 3-2 away loss at Arsenal on Sunday (9 October) after suffering an ankle injury.
According to The Times (10 October), the right-back could be missing for up to “three weeks” as Gareth Southgate prepares to select his squad for next month’s World Cup in Qatar.
He has been slammed for high-profile mistakes in Liverpool’s losses against Napoli and Arsenal in recent weeks.
Joe Gomez could reprise an unfamiliar right-back role in Alexander-Arnold’s absence, while summer signing Calvin Ramsay is another option for Jurgen Klopp.
Whelan insisted the England international has “to improve his performances” upon his recovery.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Usually when you’re going through an indifferent stage in your career, you’re better off playing.
“This, to me, is not a good thing for Alexander-Arnold. He needs to be playing and focusing on keeping critics quiet.
“He’s got to improve his performances – especially defensively – and the best way to do that is by playing games.
“There’s been a lot of indifferent performances but he always seems to respond with a goal or an assist to keep people quiet.
“He is a player who can make a difference for Liverpool. It’s been a tough start for them in general with the injuries and the performances they’ve put in.”
In other news, pundit warns Liverpool against taking “big risk” after Ibrahima Konate development.