Joe Cole has hailed Trent Alexander-Arnold's controlling display during his former club Liverpool's victory over West Ham United - insisting it's time to "stop talking about what he can’t do".
Once again being deployed in a new inverted midfield role by manager Jurgen Klopp, Alexander-Arnold claimed an assist for Cody Gakpo as the Dutchman fired the Reds level at the London Stadium before Joel Matip climbed highest to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory in the capital.
Heading into the final six games of the Premier League season, it means Liverpool sit just six points off the Champions League qualification places. They will now watch Manchester United and Newcastle United's Thursday night encounters with Tottenham Hotspur and Everton respectively with an eager eye.
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Alexander-Arnold's assist for Gakpo's leveller, which cancelled out Lucas Paqueta's early stunner, was his fifth assist in his last four outings. His move into midfield areas while in possession has been helping the England international return to his peak form after a difficult season for both club and country.
And speaking on BT Sport after the Reds' victory over another of his old clubs, Cole feels it is time to start appreciating Alexander-Arnold's talents rather than obsessing over slight flaws within his game.
“What he does is he gives you options. He comes into the midfield, creates an overload, he can’t be picked up. He drops in deep, turns, lovely round the corner, he starts the attacks and he builds up," said Cole, who played at Liverpool between 2010 and 2013..
"Look at the forwards, they’re making runs because they know he’s got the ability to find them. He was outstanding there.
“It’s just outstanding ability to take that pass It looks simple, that is an outstanding pass. We have to stop talking about what he can’t do Trent, we need to talk about what he can do.
"He’s an outstanding footballer, he needs to be playing regularly for Liverpool and regularly for England. When he’s got the ball and he’s looking around. Trust me, as a forward, you want Trent in the team.”
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