Rangers can get the better of Liverpool in the Champions League tonight if they exploit ‘weak’ Reds star Trent Alexander-Arnold.
That’s the view of Rangers legend Mark Hateley who reckons Alexander-Arnold is the Reds’ weakest link on the right side of their defence. The Scottish side go up against Liverpool for the first time in the British sides’ history with both clubs needing a win after a wobbly start in the competition.
Rangers sit bottom of Group A following two heavy defeats to Ajax and Napoli. Liverpool occupy second spot after bouncing back from a 4-0 loss to the Serie A giants in their opening game with a 2-1 victory over Ajax.
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But Rangers can gain their first three points against a Liverpool side who are currently ninth in the Premier League, according to Hateley. He reckons Reds right-back Alexander-Arnold’s defending has been a major problem for Jurgen Klopp this season that Rangers can take advantage of.
Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, Hateley explained: “You have to look for weaknesses in teams and that defensive area for Liverpool has been highlighted a lot with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s performances. Trent is a similar player to James Tavernier but when you’re playing in the Premier League or Champions League you have to be able to do everything defensively and offensively.
(Image: Getty Images)
(Image: Getty Images)
But despite his doubts about Alexander-Arnold’s defensive capabilities, Hateley insists Klopp should keep him in the Liverpool team. The former Queens Park Rangers striker added: “It’s a problem for Liverpool obviously, conceding goals and not keeping clean sheets but Jurgen Klopp has to try and play him through this. He’s got to keep his confidence and keep playing Trent.”
Alexander-Arnold’s defensive frailties were exposed once again in the Reds’ 3-3 draw with Brighton on Saturday. The England right-back was at fault for two of Brighton’s goals in the fiercely contested Premier League game. And Hateley used Liverpool’s tumultuous display to highlight where they’re going wrong at the moment.
The retired striker continued: “You can never say no in football. Brighton went to Anfield at the weekend and you wouldn’t have thought it was going to be 3-3.
“That’s the crazy sort of results that defy the odds. But for Liverpool playing at Anfield, you can’t concede three goals. That should be the team talk. They need to be defensively organised without the ball, that’s the key because, on the front foot, Liverpool are vulnerable and leaking goals.”
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(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
One player that can cause Alexander-Arnold misery on Tuesday evening is Rangers star Ryan Kent. The English winger who joined Rangers from Liverpool in 2019 has had an indifferent season thus far although he’s provided four assists and scored one goal in the league, and Hateley believes the 25-year-old can regain his confidence against his former side with a solid display.
He went onto say: “The Liverpool clash is a great game for Ryan Kent to play, he has a point to prove and I think he can own up to this one when I say that it hasn’t been a good season for him so far. The numbers he’s producing have been low, but coming on at the weekend and scoring a goal will do his confidence the world of good.
“Players like Ryan thrive off confidence and he can take that to Anfield. Playing against Trent Alexander-Arnold will be a great opportunity for Kent to be taking Trent Alexander Arnold on a football journey so let’s hope that can happen.”
Hateley’s view on Alexander-Arnold’s defending was recently echoed by ex-Chelsea centre-back Frank Leboeuf who feels the wing-back is a ‘Championship level defender’. And it seems the critics may have a point as Alexander-Arnold was ousted from the Three Lions’ latest squad by boss Gareth Southgate in their Nations League debacle.
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