Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold's body transformation blamed for poor performance vs Manchester City

Former England international Darren Bent believes Trent Alexander-Arnold ought to spend "less time in the gym lifting weights and maybe more time on the grass" after another disappointing defensive display against Manchester City.

The Liverpool right-back struggled to contain the impressive Jack Grealish during Liverpool's 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday, as his fellow England teammate picked up a goal and an assist in a man-of-the-match performance for Pep Guardiola's side.

Bent was critical of the performance of Alexander-Arnold, who he believes ought to be 'taken out of the firing line' as he looks to improve his fitness.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Bent expressed the importance in Alexander-Arnold working his way back to his 'really sharp, fittest self':

“Maybe it’s too late this season now because they’re not getting in the top four anyway. But, I think whatever regime he’s going to do in the summer, it needs to be different because he needs to get back to his really sharp, fittest self.”

It was a viewpoint echoed by co-presenter Danny Murphy, who agreed with Bent in that Trent has spent too much time in the gym, with his newfound size proving to be a hinderance on the pitch:

"Yeah a little bit, that's a good shout Benty," Murphy added.

"You mean wanting to look good rather than feel good, to be able to get about on the pitch, he's got in the gym a bit too much?"

Bent linked back to his time under Gerard Houllier at Aston Villa, where he spoke of how certain teammates spent a little bit too much time hitting the weights.

"Potentially because I remember Gerard Houllier talking about it when I was with him at Aston Villa about players maybe doing too much weights and I get it, he looks fantastic," he added.

“But when you look at him certainly a couple of years ago, he was a little bit slender. You know what it’s like Murph, if you continue to do the upper body weights, your mobility and willingness to turn a little bit can hinder you a little bit."

Trent struggled to contain City's wingers on Saturday (Mike Egerton/PA Wire/PA Images)

Bent added that Trent is still 'exceptional' at football, but questioned Alexander-Arnold's willingness to make life difficult for his opposite number.

"I always look at Trent and think, with the football he’s still exceptional," he explained. "His range of passing is still there, you don’t lose that. But his whole physique of getting around the pitch, getting sharp up to the attackers.

“One thing he used to do, even though his defensive responsibilities have been questioned for a little while now, he still used to get up against the wide man and at least make it look a little more difficult for him.

“But now he’s not even doing that, so he’s almost allowing the wide men to turn, run at him and then all of a sudden he’s struggling a little bit.

“So I definitely agree with Murph, the regime whatever he is doing, he needs to change it. Maybe less time in the gym lifting weights and maybe more time on the grass.”

Saturday's 4-1 defeat was Liverpool's ninth in the Premier League this season, leading to rumoured 'crisis talks' as the squad look to salvage their season.