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Danny Murphy reckons Liverpool are struggling without Trent Alexander-Arnold, as he delivered criticism of Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley. It comes after Steven Gerrard made his feelings clear on Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool exit.
The Reds' title defence has encountered difficulties following consecutive Premier League defeats. After the crushing loss at Chelsea, Real Madrid defender Alexander-Arnold has re-entered discussions as Liverpool's defensive weaknesses and attacking wastefulness returned to plague them. Alexander-Arnold served as the cornerstone of Liverpool's triumph and inventiveness from wide positions, but since his summer departure, it's been suggested that his absence is proving costly.
Jamie Redknapp and Gary Lineker both concurred on this matter concerning the 27-year-old, arguing that Arne Slot's team lacks strength without his involvement, which has affected Mohamed Salah's productivity. Dominik Szoboszlai has operated in the full-back role and demonstrated his ability, whilst Frimpong and Bradley have been unavailable.
Nevertheless, the right-back duo has experienced a decline in performance, hindering the Reds. Bradley was withdrawn on Saturday after receiving a yellow card during the first half following an altercation with Marc Cucurella. Murphy highlighted that Liverpool is experiencing the effects of Alexander-Arnold's exit, and his replacements have yet to rise to the occasion. "It's impossible not to miss Trent's passing and composure on the ball and passing ability," the former midfielder said
"That's what makes him unique. He has a wonderful football brain, which means whether he gets on the ball in the inverted role or at right back, he can see passes that most people can't see, so you inevitably miss that.
"I actually think Frimpong started well and then he had a difficult evening against Atletico. I think Slot saw that and thought maybe I need Bradley or Szoboszlai but I think that's a mistake.
"Sometimes players need to just get a bad game out of their system and move onto the next game by playing. I think Frimpong needs to get back in and keep improving.
"With Conor Bradley he's a young talent and he missed most of pre-season. So, he's getting fit on the job which isn't easy to do at Liverpool and the level they are at. I've got no concerns about him either."
Alexander-Arnold may be set for an immediate Anfield return when Real Madrid visit Liverpool in the Champions League on November 4. It would mark the first occasion he faces his former club following his controversial departure last summer. Murphy's observations follow legendary Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard finally speaking out about the high-profile summer exit of the former Reds vice-captain.
The Champions League winner provided his frank evaluation of the circumstances, acknowledging the reasoning from one perspective whilst questioning it from Liverpool's standpoint. Speaking on Rio Presents, he said: "If I take my Liverpool hat off, I think any player in the game when Barcelona and Real Madrid come, it's going to turn your head.
"This is me speaking without my Liverpool hat on at the moment. Real Madrid came for me with [Jose] Mourinho, serious. And it turned my head.
"It didn't get as much traction and noise as Chelsea because it was shut down pretty quick because of the timing of it and what Real Madrid wanted me to do to manufacture that. So it never got the traction or the noise, but it turned my head. It turned my head, for sure. It's Real Madrid. So without my Liverpool hat on, Real Madrid and Barcelona, whether you like it or not, if you're a United fan, Liverpool fan, they're two humongous clubs.
"And when they come, it's going to turn your head. No matter who you are, it's going to turn your head. Or you're not. You're not human. They're going to turn your head.
"So I can understand it from being in Trent's shoes. I can understand it. I get it. His best mate plays there. Maybe he wants to challenge himself. He's won everything at Liverpool. So there's a part of me that really understands it.
"But as soon as I put my Liverpool hat back on, I think, what are you doing? What are you doing? You're arguably one of the best teams in Europe. You're winning things that I sit here now and still dream of winning. You're winning European Cups. You're one of the main men. The fans adore you. What are you doing? But this is with my Liverpool hat on, because I love Liverpool football club. So.."
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