Liverpool ’s defensive horror-show against Napoli has been torn apart by Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Fowler with fresh footage shining the spotlight on a lack of “desire” from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Reds opened up their latest Champions League campaign in the worst possible way as they were torn apart by the Serie A outfit at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Jurgen Klopp ’s troops found themselves 3-0 down at the break but the scoreline could well have been even more emphatic at the break.
The hosts extended their lead only minutes after half-time - Piotr Zielinski adding to his first-half penalty with another well-taken strike, whilst Luis Diaz could only pull a consolation goal back for the Merseysiders.
However, it was the second goal in Naples that has earned the most criticism and scrutiny. Former Fulham midfielder André-Frank Zambo Anguissa played an excellent one-two with Zielinksi to bypass the Liverpool defence - the former then sweeping a fantastic finish into the near post past Alisson Becker.
Whilst the goal was no doubt an eye-catching move from the hosts, the Liverpool defence did not cover themselves in glory. New footage has shown Alexander-Arnold not tracking his runner and practically standing still within the penalty area.
It is the latest in an ever-growing list of defensive indiscretions from the Reds’ academy graduate as Liverpool’s inconsistent start to the new season continues. Whilst fans have been left furious with the footage, the England star was also criticised by pundits after the game.
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Former Red Fowler accused Alexander-Arnold of lacking “desire”. Speaking to BT Sport, he said: “Joe Gomez will get all the stick [for his first-half performance] but look at the lack of desire from Trent.
“You can’t call out him going forward but defensively we can pick him apart because he doesn’t show the same desire to get back than he does to get forward and that’s wrong. Liverpool were shocking defensively.”
Ex- Man Utd defender Ferdinand agrees with that assessment and has suggested that Klopp would have been furious at the break.
He said: “It was an embarrassing first 45 minutes for Liverpool, particularly defensively. What you can’t accept as a manager or as a player is a lack of effort and desire. When people don’t run or don’t have the desire to get back.
“Gomez makes the mistake but you’ve got to get back and help your team-mates and Trent didn’t do that. Liverpool got teased, they got embarrassed, they got shown up. This result has been coming too. They were lacklustre and lacked grit, determination and desire.”
Liverpool will be aiming to get back to winning ways this weekend as they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield before their second Champions League group game next week against Eredivisie champions Ajax.
