October 24th 2024.
Roy Keane couldn't resist taking a playful jab at Liverpool's star player, Trent Alexander-Arnold. According to Keane, the young right-back's late substitution during their match against Chelsea is a clear indication that he is not to be trusted defensively. Despite his impressive attacking skills, Alexander-Arnold has often faced criticism for his defensive abilities.
In their recent 2-1 win over Chelsea, head coach Arne Slot made the decision to replace Alexander-Arnold with Joe Gomez in the 81st minute. This decision raised some eyebrows, as Alexander-Arnold had been praised by many pundits for his defensive performance in the match. He had successfully neutralized the dangerous Jadon Sancho, which ultimately led to the Chelsea star being substituted at half-time. However, there were also moments where Alexander-Arnold was lucky to avoid conceding a penalty.
Manchester United legend and current football pundit Roy Keane couldn't resist poking fun at Alexander-Arnold's substitution. During an interview with Sky Bet's The Overlap, Keane sarcastically remarked that it was "brilliant" how the manager had taken off Alexander-Arnold with only ten minutes left in the game. He added that this decision must have been a clear message that the team had complete trust in Alexander-Arnold's defensive abilities.
However, neither Gary Neville nor former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believed that Alexander-Arnold's challenge on Sancho warranted a penalty. Despite Chelsea's head coach Enzo Maresca appealing for a spot kick, the referee and VAR were not convinced. According to Gallagher, the two players were simply tangled up and he would have been surprised if a penalty had been given.
On the other hand, football pundit and former Premier League striker Glenn Murray believes that Arne Slot's tactics suit Alexander-Arnold's style of play. According to Murray, the young defender's one-on-one defending has significantly improved under Slot's guidance. He points out that Alexander-Arnold is no longer constantly trying to make his way back into position, but instead is able to sit back and focus on his defensive duties.
Overall, it is clear that Alexander-Arnold's performance and substitution in the match against Chelsea sparked some interesting discussions and opinions among football pundits and experts. While some may question his defensive abilities, others believe that he has shown significant improvement under his current coach. Only time will tell how Alexander-Arnold will continue to develop as a player.
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