Jurgen Klopp insists he "doesn't know why" Trent Alexander-Arnold's defending is so often criticised, with pundit Gary Neville the latest to question the Liverpool right-back.
Manchester United legend Neville believes that England boss Gareth Southgate won't be able to trust Alexander-Arnold in the latter stages of the World Cup in Qatar, for which the Liverpool man was included in the Three Lions' squad on Thursday.
Speaking on Sky Sports last Sunday in the wake of Liverpool's 2-1 win at Tottenham, pundit Neville said: "At this moment in time, I can’t see how Gareth could go into a knockout game of a World Cup playing Trent Alexander-Arnold.
"I want this player to be the greatest right-back of all time because he’s got the ability to do that, but today at times again, he looked like he could cost Liverpool dearly.
"He does rash things. In a World Cup, there would have been a penalty against him today and in a second phase or a quarter-final, he’s given a goal away.
"I don’t think Gareth will trust him in a knockout game, which means will he then take him? He’s got four brilliant right-backs also potentially to go."
Alexander-Arnold was named in the squad alongside Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier, with Chelsea's Reece James being forced to miss the tournament through injury.
The Liverpool academy product sees his defending often criticised, but Klopp insists he's happy to have him in his side having won both the Champions League and Premier League with Alexander-Arnold at right-back.
"I heard Gary Neville said something," said Klopp at his press conference ahead of Saturday's clash at home to Southampton, Liverpool's final game before the World Cup.
"But he's now 24, he's won quite a few finals; that's big games where he has had to defend.
"He was always there, defending well. I don't know why we have this discussion. Trent is very calm and he plays the football he plays and tries to improve."
Alexander-Arnold is joined in the England squad by his Liverpool teammate Jordan Henderson, but the pair are two of only seven Reds players who will be in Qatar.
Alisson Becker and Fabinho will travel with Brazil, Virgil van Dijk with the Netherlands, Ibrahima Konate with France and Darwin Nunez with Uruguay, with the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Roberto Firmino and Joe Gomez missing out on their squads, and Diogo Jota injured.
Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Andy Robertson's nations didn't qualify for the tournament, and Klopp is hopeful his players will be able to rest up during the Premier League break,
Liverpool are set for a warm weather training camp in Dubai before returning to action with a Carabao Cip tie at Manchester City in the week commencing December 19.
"We have seven at the World Cup, not a massive number, but important players," said Klopp.
"We have clear rules with international games: the boys have to text me if there are any issues. We need the players to tell us and that's the contact we'll have definitely. We're in Dubai around the corner."
