Gary Neville gives incredible defending lesson to Trent Alexander-Arnold, it's a fascinating watch

Gary Neville gave Trent Alexander-Arnold a fascinating lesson in how to defend as a full-back on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.

Despite his incredible ability on the ball and "obscene" numbers, Alexander-Arnold's defensive qualities have been questioned on a regular basis.

That prompted manager Jurgen Klopp to passionately defend his player and explain that the England international only becomes exposed because of the role he is being asked to play.

Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are encouraged to play high up the pitch and that often leaves gaps in behind.

On MNF, Neville showed praised on Alexander-Arnold going forward, comparing him to Brazil legend Cafu and salivating over his creative output.

Yet, in a detailed analysis piece, the former Manchester United captain instructed his fellow right-back on how to improve at the "basics" of defending.

Neville was up and out of his seat, giving a live demo to stress the need for the correct body shape while defending, claiming Alexander-Arnold "always jogs out in an upright position".

The former Valencia coach talked about his time spent with a movement coach in Newcastle for two summers and the impact it had on him.

He believes the 23-year-old has the potential to be the best right back ever and said, "No full-back that I've ever seen in this country can do what he can do".

But in order to do that, Neville, capped 85 times by England, feels there are four areas where Alexander-Arnold must get better.

They include: scanning when defending his far post, sprinting back, keeping a low and crouched body position, and checking distances.

He showed clips of where Alexander-Arnold has fallen short of these principles of full-back play to back up his points - including the 3-3 draw with Brighton at Anfield this past weekend.

Alexander-Arnold has 14 goals and 62 assists in 236 games for his boyhood club, with whom he's won every trophy available to him.

Featured Image Credit: Image: Sky Sports

Topics: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool, Gary Neville

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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