Liverpool fans took to Twitter to lay into Trent Alexander-Arnold for his performance in their team’s 4-0 demolition of West Ham in their Premier League opener on Sunday.
A Sadio Mane double and goals from Mohamed Salah and substitute Daniel Sturridge got Jurgen Klopp’s side off to a flyer against the big-spending Hammers.
But many Liverpool supporters were unimpressed with the performance of Alexander-Arnold, who was given the nod to start at right-back ahead of Nathaniel Clyne.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
I think we’ll definitely see Clyne take over from TAA sometime in the second half, Trent’s final ball has be awful and he’s on a booking #lfc #YNWA #LIVWHU
— Ollie ?????? (@ollie_olly_olly) August 12, 2018
TAA has a World Cup hangover, he’s overcooking all his service. He’s quality though, give him some time to settle. Robertson is all action, love his effort. #LFC https://t.co/OnlTfqiWDJ
— Mike Davidson (@david_so_mike) August 12, 2018
Underrated/Unnoticed things(2nd half):
• Gomez’ pass to Milner(62mins).
• WE GOT THE RUB OF THE GREEN(for once????).
• Sub of the week – D. Studge.
• TAA did slack quite a lot during the game. Needs to buck up when defending.
• Hendo’s pass to Robbo(89 mins).
• A Win#lfc— Äamir Bakshi (@Madred1988) August 12, 2018
Few thoughts on the game;
1. Keita was exceptional. He has fitted in to the #LFC midfield like a duck to water.
2. Nit picking but thought TAA was caught out of position a few times today & at times for me gave the ball away too easily
— Aaron Cawley (@AaronCawley81) August 12, 2018
Young TAA was frustrating today ..you could see his rustiness after a late start to his preseason but his brilliant pass into keita was something Clyne can’t offer hence the reason he will be klopps number one rb imo ..#LFC
— Grizz (@GrizzKhan) August 12, 2018
TAA better remember Clyne is back.
Keita’s confidence is tasty.
Felipe Anderson is being underutilized (Good thing). #LIVWHU #LFC
— RIJI (@rijiriji) August 12, 2018
TAA looks very suspect today. Even nervous. #LFC
— David Tloubatla (@TloubatlaDavid) August 12, 2018
TAA has been so poor this far, neither his crosses are good nor he covering and overlapping well. Needs to compose himself.#LFC #LIVWHU
— LFC for Life (@roy_aniket) August 12, 2018
COMMENTARY:
It is the nature of modern fandom – especially on Twitter and social media – that they can still find flaws even when their side steamroller a team who have made expensive and impressive refurbishments this summer. In truth, Liverpool fans complaining about Alexander-Arnold’s performance against West Ham were not wrong. He was the worst player on the pitch for the home side. It’s just that every other player wearing red looked slick and immediately took up where they left off at the end of last season. Alexander-Arnold has, of course, only just returned to training this week after his World Cup experience, where he was a fringe player but did still get a couple of matches as deputy to Kieran Trippier. Still only 19, the right-back has the backing and support of Klopp, who now regards him as the first choice right-back ahead of Clyne after his outstanding finish to last season. He should stick by the younger man, too, for the next few league matches.