Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk has leapt to the defence of team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold amid recent criticism of the right-back s performances.
Alexander-Arnold has been the subject of plenty of scrutiny following his poor defensive performances in the Premier League and Champions League.
The defender s mistakes in Liverpool s 3-3 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, in particular, drew heavy criticism from fans and pundits.
The 23-year-old also failed to feature in either of England s two Nations League games last week, with Gareth Southgate making it clear Alexander-Arnold is not his first-choice right-back.
But van Dijk, speaking after Liverpool s 2-0 win against Rangers on Tuesday in which Alexander-Arnold opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick, said: We know the quality he has and he showed it again today.
He has been showing it over the last couple of years; he has developed as one of the best right-backs in the country.
Your Player of the Match for …
Brilliant tonight,
— Liverpool FC (@LFC)
Netherlands international Van Dijk also questioned the culture surrounding player welfare and media scrutiny in English football.
He said: I ve been in the UK now for eight, nine years and everyone here is very good to praise a player very high up to the sky and let them fall as hard as they can.
That s what we, as players, have to deal with. Everyone is talking about how we should accept it.
For him to just carry on working – not only him but other players as well – deal with it and show reaction today is what we need, all of us. I think it s important that we back him.
Liverpool s victory against Rangers leaves them second in Group A behind Napoli, who beat Jurgen Klopp s men 4-1 in the opening group game.
