Liverpool boss Klopp would sign Alexander-Arnold 'for any team'

Suraj Radia

• 30 Sep 2022 12:45 CDT
• 4 min read

Jurgen Klopp reacted strongly to criticism of Trent Alexander-Arnold after the right-back fell out of contention for England and insists he would sign the defender for any team he managed.

Alexander-Arnold has come under fire from some critics after being caught out defensively in recent games and his place in England’s World Cup squad appears to be in jeopardy.

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has opted for Reece James, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker over Alexander-Arnold and the Liverpool man has played just one of England’s last eight games.

Klopp said while he respected Southgate’s decision, he didn’t agree, telling the media: “We are fine here (at Liverpool) because I see him differently, that is clear and obvious.

“There are stories out there all the time and people talk about him saying he's not a good defender, that is not true. He's a good defender, he doesn't defend always good. That's true as well. That is what we're working on, he is a young player, 23.

"There is space for improvement, definitely. But I think we only discuss it on the level we discuss it because is offensive impact is so extreme for us and it could be for every team in the world I would say.

"So from my point of view, it's easy. Whatever team I would coach in the moment, I would sign him because he is exceptional. Is he always exceptional? No. Name another player who is, but that's it now.”

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Klopp criticises media ‘massive stories’

Klopp was critical of the discussion surrounding Alexander-Arnold and blamed the media for ‘creating headlines’ and distracting his team’s preparations.

He said: "Do you really want to open this box? No, actually, you're an English journalist and we can now discuss selections or whatever until the World Cup starts, it's one of the reasons why [the media] makes massive stories over these kinds of things [and] why the team cannot prepare properly.

"If you ask for my honest opinion it would create headlines, that's clear. Do you want that? It helps Germany, maybe, but it doesn't help England. I don't know why we do that. It's a normal situation: A manager picks a player or not.

"Obviously I would decide differently, but I am not in charge of this team and that's how it is. If you want to discuss it, I have a lot of things to say but I am really not sure that it makes sense [to discuss it].”

“In the end, it's Gareth's decision and he's made a decision. The only thing I can say is I see it differently. That does not mean it's right or wrong.

“For Trent now, that's the most important. He has come back and is not in a party mood but he just accepts the decision of the manager now as well because he understands football extremely well. He is a smart boy and did everything right.”