Anyone different from the norm or breaking new ground will always find themselves a lightning rod for heated debate. Just ask Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Ever since breaking into the Liverpool first team as an 18-year-old back in October 2016, the homegrown talent has been the subject of more than the usual share of critique.
His unique role, redefining what should be expected from a right-back, has made him arguably one of the most divisive players in the Premier League, certainly for one so obviously talented.
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And he again unwittingly became the centre of attention as Liverpool slumped out of the Champions League in timid fashion with a 1-0 defeat at Real Madrid in their round of 16 clash in the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
While Alexander-Arnold was undoubtedly slow to react to the danger of Vinicius Jnr in the build-up to Karim Benzema's decisive strike, it was his overall performance that caused alarm for some, not least having been dribbled past by his opponents more times than any other player in the Champions League this season.
The Liverpool man, in regularly attempting to put his team on the front foot as the playmaker from right-back - not least with Jurgen Klopp forced to field a functional midfield two of Fabinho and James Milner - was guilty of some loose, overhit distribution, particularly from set-pieces.
But it was his defending that prompted the greater consternation, even if there was the mitigation of coming up against in-form Vinicius Jnr, the Brazilian winger regarded one of the best players in the world by Real boss Carlo Ancelotti for good reason.
Jamie Carragher, who knows a thing or two about playing at right-back for Liverpool, was among those to question Alexander-Arnold, although his main worry was the player is being harmed by a lack of competition for his place.
Carragher is correct. Calvin Ramsay, bought last summer, has barely been available through injury and is in any case untested at Premier League level. Milner is in the veteran stage of his career and Joe Gomez, while decent on his rare outings at right-back this campaign, has had his confidence affected by some wayward centre-back showings.
There are inevitable parallels with the other side of the defence. Andy Robertson is the undisputed first choice, but the arrival of Kostas Tsimikas has, for the most part, kept the Scotland international left-back on his toes. Indeed, only last season Tsimikas scored the winning penalty in the FA Cup final shoot-out triumph over Chelsea.
But Alexander-Arnold has, perhaps more than any other player, been affected by Liverpool's midfield malaise, too often left exposed by the lack of cover and understanding from whoever has played on the right of the central three. Harvey Elliott has improved in that regard, but the poor form of individuals and inconsistency of selection has exacerbated Alexander-Arnold's defensive weaknesses.
He hasn't, though, helped himself with some lackadaisical moments during games that have painted an image of a player not exactly overly-enthused with the prospect of running back to defend. Klopp has never mentioned Alexander-Arnold by name, but there's no doubt he was one of the players the Liverpool boss had been addressing when previously highlighting poor body language. Alexander-Arnold, who in the past admitted to temperament issues during his Academy years, has at times perhaps been guilty of allowing his frustration to get the better of him.
And he wouldn't be the first Scouser to have reached a possible crossroads after a Champions League exit. Back in 2002, Steven Gerrard was hauled off at half-time in the group decider against Basel, a very public dressing down after a poor display. Gerrard later regarded it as a turning point in his career and responded in such a manner that, within a year, he was named club captain.
That Alexander-Arnold was on Thursday unsurprisingly overlooked for the latest England squad could be something of a blessing in disguise, having looked jaded in his recent performances. Even when in form, his unique qualities have befuddled Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate and his coaching staff.
Carragher, though, also made the point Alexander-Arnold has now made 262 appearances for Liverpool. There have been drops in form along the way, but none quite as obvious as this season. And although yet to reach his accepted peak, it will take some adjustment for the right-back to change his natural game after so long operating one way. Not impossible, but potentially counter-intuitive.
But maybe it's simply a matter of a player having an inevitable, prolonged dip after reaching such heights. "We all see (this season) that some players didn't exactly reach the level they reached for us consistently over four or five or six years," said Klopp earlier this year. "That's not unusual, it happens to other players as well.
"One of the best examples ever probably will be Marcus Rashford. The season he had last year and the season he has this year, I'm not sure he can really explain it. Erik ten Hag coming in, new boys, a different approach, of course (makes a difference) but it's not as though Marcus didn't want to deliver last year. Now he is flying. That's how it goes."
Liverpool will hope that's the case with Alexander-Arnold. But there's no doubt Carragher is right - the player needs help, both for the remainder of the season and beyond. The right-back has too much natural talent for the Reds not to properly harness once more.
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