"I love Trent Alexander-Arnold, his offensive qualities... But defensively, he's Championship level!"

Trent Alexander-Arnold's defensive ability has been described as 'Championship level' by Frank Leboeuf.

The Liverpool right-back has struggled this season and Jurgen Klopp's side have won just two of their six Premier League games so far.

Liverpool have only kept two clean sheets in that time as well, in a 9-0 win over Bournemouth and a 0-0 draw with Everton.

Former Chelsea star Leboeuf thinks Alexander-Arnold has incredibly quality going forward but is lacking at the back. Leboeuf also thinks Klopp's system hides the 23-year-old's frailties in defence.

"Look at Trent Alexander-Arnold. I love the guy, his offensive qualities. But defensively, he's Championship level," he told Journal du Dimanche per Goal.

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"Only Klopp's system works for him. When it doesn't work as well as it has this season, all you see is his defensive shortcomings."

The ex-France international even outlined what he'd teach Alexander-Arnold.

He continued: "I want to take him with me to work on the basics. I would say to him: 'Turn your head and look behind you, it will be better already'. It was Roberto Carlos who deformed generations of defenders."

Alexander-Arnold's issues date back as far as last season, when he lost Vinicius Jr. for Real Madrid's winner in the Champions League final.

He was then outmuscled by Aleksandar Mitrovic in an opening day 2-2 draw with Fulham before being run ragged in a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

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England manager Gareth Southgate is yet to be fully convinced by Alexander-Arnold and he didn't feature in Friday's 1-0 Nations League defeat to Italy.

Gary Lineker believes the Premier League winner is still among England's biggest creative threats and tweeted his displeasure during the match.

Lineker said: "A gentle reminder that England’s most creative midfielder, James Maddison, was not in the squad of 28. And England’s most creative footballer, Trent Alexander-Arnold, is sat on the bench getting splinters in his arse…"

Alexander-Arnold has represented the Three Lions 17 times, but has Kyle Walker and Reece James ahead of him in the pecking order.

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