Graeme Souness has questioned Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold after his starring role in the Reds’ win over West Ham on Saturday evening.
Alexander-Arnold laid on the assist for Sadio Mane’s goal in the first-half, which proved enough for Jurgen Klopp’s side to claim all three points against the Hammers.
The win also ensured that Liverpool have kept up the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City, who are now only three points clear of Klopp’s side.
But without crucial interventions from Alexander-Arnold at both ends of the pitch, the Reds may have instead lost ground in the race for the title after what was a lacklustre performance from the hosts.
The first moment of brilliance from Alexander-Arnold came just before the half-hour mark when he set Mane up to score.
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Alexander-Arnold chested a pass from Naby Keita down before letting the ball bounce and hitting it on the half-volley into the six-yard box.
The ball was perfect for Mane, making a late dart away from his marker to tap in from close range, which was enough for Liverpool to win.
At first, it looked like the perfect pass, but former Reds legend Souness questioned whether it was actually meant to be a shot.
“The technique would suggest he’s going for goal,” Souness told Sky Sports.
“He’s such a wonderful striker of the ball but I think his technique is slightly out and he ends up punching it into the ground. I think he was aiming for that side netting.
“When they get into the last third, certainly Trent, nine times out of ten they’ll find their target.
“If you’re a striker you know if he’s on the ball you make any sort of movement - you’d love to play with someone who kicks the ball like Trent - he’ll find you.”
Souness was not the only one to question Alexander-Arnold’s motives, with Andy Robertson also teasing his team-mate.
“That one was a miss-hit shot weren’t it?” Robertson joked in the duo’s post-match interview with Sky Sports.
Alexander-Arnold admitted that he had mishit the pass, but was happy to see Mane tuck the ball into the back of the net.
“They all count, they all count. Like Robbo said, I have dragged it but I try and contribute as much as I can for the team,” he said.
“I think we both do. We pride ourselves on that. We want to help win games.
“Kinda changing the game from full-back perspective and going and winning games for the team so I’m happy to contribute.”
His pass to Mane means that Alexander-Arnold has now matched his record for assists in a single season.
He was also called upon to clear the ball off the line when Pablo Fornals broke free and revealed his first aim is a defensive one, rather than attacking.
“Both me and Andy (Robertson) tried to get forward when we had the chance,” he added.
“But to keep a clean sheet was our aim. We have been able to do that over the last few weeks. Being able to clear one off the line was great as it helped us keep that clean sheet.”
