Thomas Tuchel has issued a stern warning to Trent Alexander-Arnold regarding his defensive duties, stressing that any lapse could potentially cost England dearly in the World Cup.
Backing up earlier comments from Arne Slot, Tuchel, who has taken over as England boss, emphasized that Alexander-Arnold must sharpen up on his defending. He pointed out during his tenure at Liverpool, despite the player’s impressive offensive contributions, the need for defensive discipline in high-stakes tournaments is paramount.
Tuchel remarked: “Yeah, I can see that sometimes he relies heavily on his offensive contributions, and gives not so much emphasis on the defensive discipline and effort.
This major impact that he had for Liverpool over so many years, if he wants to have this impact in the English national team, then he has to take the defensive part very, very seriously.
“Because when we are talking, especially about qualifying football, and then tournament football, the one defensive error, the one moment where you are not 100 per cent awake, can be decisive, can be the moment where you pack your suitcases and go home.”
“We will put this all into consideration, but now is the moment to get to know him. I know him. I played against him. I had phone calls with him.
(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
“But now is the moment to feel him for nine or 10 days, feel him around the squad, see what he can do, what he can bring, and then from there we go.”
Slot openly discussed his frank discussions with Alexander-Arnold during pre-season, explaining that he had challenged the England full-back to elevate his performance.
Slot remarked: “I wasn’t completely happy with every single minute how he was on the training ground. In my opinion in certain moments he could do a bit more, to say it mildly.
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“I said to him ‘You are a much better defender than everyone tells you, unfortunately you don’t show it all the time’, and that is why people sometimes tell you it is a part of a game you need to improve.”
Alexander-Arnold is expected to be in the Liverpool squad for the final day of the season game against Crystal Palace on Sunday, but Slot has not decided if he will be involved in the game.
The defender featured as a substitute against Arsenal recently but was an unused substitute as his side lost to Brighton on Monday night and cut an isolated figure at full time.
