With seven league games left to play, Liverpool are having one of their best ever campaigns from a defensive standpoint. Only once in the Premier League era have they had more clean sheets after 31 matches (in 2005/06) and they’ve only had a better goals-conceded-per-game average in six of their 106 completed top flight seasons.
Yet despite these impressive numbers, it feels like there has to be a lengthy media inquest every time an opposing side scores a goal against the Reds. If it’s not a tiresome debate about the possible issues with their high defensive line – which leads Europe’s big five leagues for opponents caught offside – then it’s often a hatchet job on Trent Alexander-Arnold's defending.
Jurgen Klopp, the man whose opinion is most relevant on this matter, has already dismissed any criticisms of his first choice right-back’s defensive capabilities. “I've said it already before but if there are one or two things [claiming] Trent cannot defend, then I am sorry, you have no idea about football,” were his comments following his team’s recent 2-0 victory at Arsenal.
