Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has warned Trent Alexander-Arnold criticism is likely to remain a theme throughout his career amid a tough start to the season for the Liverpool right-back.
Alexander-Arnold will miss this Sunday's Premier League meeting with City due to an ankle injury sustained during last weekend's defeat by Arsenal, which sees him removed from the spotlight at at time whereby he has become the centre of attention.
The 24-year-old has seen his defensive ability questioned by some observers this term, with matters also proving challenging on an international front after being snubbed by England manager Gareth Southgate for UEFA Nations League fixtures and publicly told Kieran Tripper's 'all-round game' is superior than his.
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Jurgen Klopp has ignored claims to drop Alexander-Arnold from his side due to poor performances, though will be without the full-back through no choice of his own when City visit Anfield. Walker is another player who will miss this game due to injury, but has taken the opportunity to offer his advice on how Liverpool's local star should deal with negative comments that come his way.
"My personal point of view is, it’s going to happen again," he said of the backlash Alexander-Arnold has received this term. "People are going to have doubts again. It’s football, it’s about opinions. Some opinions are definitely not right and some are right."
Reflecting on his own personal experiences of such treatment, he continued: "I remember me being at Tottenham and people were saying I couldn't defend. Now it's vice versa, people say 'he's not good going forward but he is a great defender'. I'm still the same guy I've also seen a few things saying I'm losing my pace but I feel great, I feel so good."
City currently lead Liverpool by a total of 13 points heading into Sunday's showdown on Merseyside after what has been an unexpected slow start to the season. Pep Guardiola's side have been involved in their fair share of thrilling encounters with the Reds in recent years while battling it out for title glory, though the Sky Blues are the firm favourites to not only win this latest battle but also claim another Premier League crown.
Despite it being both teams to have raised the standards required to prevail as champions, Walker has admitted Liverpool have arguably not received the credit they deserve due to missing out on two titles by the tightest of margins.
"Sometimes you might go to a certain ground or play certain teams and they give you that little bit of respect. In that game [against Liverpool], we half show each other respect but not too much where we say 'ok, you're not above us'. That is why the Premier League has been so interesting over the last three or four years," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"They're a good team in all departments and that's why it has been either us or them challenging for the title. There is not much to separate us. It has been points here and there, goal difference here and there and last kick of the game here and there. As much as people say Manchester City play exciting football and this, that and the other, Liverpool have done the same but we have pipped them on certain occasions."
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