Having long taken exception to the notion of Trent Alexander-Arnold as a defensive liability, it was no surprise to hear Jurgen Klopp offer a firm riposte at what he perceived to be fresh criticism at the London Stadium on Wednesday.
After a hard-fought 2-1 win away at West Ham, one that had been built on reserves of character having gone down early to Lucas Paqueta's opener, Klopp was asked a question about the new role of Alexander-Arnold in this Liverpool team; the one that essentially requires him to play two positions: both as a hard-nosed defensive full-back and a marauding central midfielder.
It's a tactical tweak that has led to him registering five assists in four games, which is the most of any Liverpool player in a single month of Premier League football. It is quite the feat given the voracious quest to supply team-mates that both Alexander-Arnold and his colleague Andy Robertson have been on for the last five years or so.
