Much like Liverpool, all is not quite right when it comes to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Reds right-back has been at the crux of a team that has become almost synonymous with success over the last few years under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp and has earned plenty of plaudits for his technical prowess.
But this season, Alexander-Arnold's influence has waned: the 24-year-old's defensive deficiencies have, for the first time, been more prominent than his contributions in the final third. The Reds academy graduate - like his club, who are miles off the pace at the summit of the Premier League - is in a rut.
Here, Mirror Football takes a look at the journey the Liverpool ace has been on and his current frustrations.
Anger admission
Alexander-Arnold has become accustomed, almost, to winning over the past few years with Liverpool. But things have changed this year, with the Reds currently ninth in the Premier League and 21 points behind leaders Arsenal.
Sunday's defeat against Brighton in the FA Cup means Liverpool have won just one of their last six games.
Back in 2021, Alexander-Arnold opened up on his competitive edge and how frustrated he gets when he's not winning. Speaking to GQ about his temperament, he said previously: "I wasn't angry all the time, just maybe overly competitive at times, because I wanted to win so much that if I didn't, then obviously I'd be upset.
"I'd be angry – angry at myself that I hadn’t won something. That comes from a young age. Doing anything with my brothers, we'd be competitive all the time in anything that we ever did. So, for me, it was normal to be angry if you didn't win."
On-field frustrations
Join the debate! What have you made of Alexander-Arnold's recent form? Let us know here.
Much like Liverpool's current plight, the idea of Alexander-Arnold not playing would have been almost unthinkable as recently as a few months ago - but he hasn't exactly been untouchable this term.
Alexander-Arnold looked less than impressed when he was benched for the match against Chelsea just over a week ago, although Klopp did stress that he was carrying an injury.
But there didn't appear to be an injury issue at the AMEX on Sunday when Alexander-Arnold was hooked in the 59th minute.
Again, the defender's frustration was evident; he left the field shaking his head and was visibly disappointed to be leaving the field early. Although he was exposed at times by the in-form Karou Mitoma, his withdrawal did Liverpool no favours as the Seagulls winger still ended up bagging a late winner.
Alexander-Arnold's frustration more than likely ties in with his current performances: he will know better than anybody that he has not been at his best recently, and he'll be chomping at the bit to put it right.
Future plans
Alexander-Arnold is in a tough place right now, but there should be no doubt over his standing at Liverpool going forward: the full-back will remain one of their most influential players and it's just a matter or when not if he hits top form again.
And not only is the Liverpool-born youngster likely to play a huge role for Klopp's side beyond this season, but he could also be key to how their future team will look.
Top players always want to play with top players and top clubs are always on the lookout for top players, so, predictably, the England star sent fans on social media wild during the World Cup when he shared an image of himself out and about in Qatar with long-term Liverpool target Jude Bellingham.
With the Reds in desperate need of a midfield revamp, Bellingham has emerged as their top summer target. But with a host of top clubs chasing the sought-after starlet, Liverpool will need to pull out all the stops to convince him to make Anfield his new home.
Alexander-Arnold's career so far has been the perfect example of what burgeoning young talent can achieve at Anfield - and that could prove to be a deciding factor in the race to snare Bellingham.
