Trent critics puzzle Reds boss Klopp

LIVERPOOL v BRIGHTON

BEMUSED Jurgen Klopp admits he “doesn’t get” the criticism of Trent Alexander-Arnold and has defended the full-back ahead of a massive week for Liverpool.

The Anfield boss doesn’t know why detractors can’t see the player’s “world-class talent” and suggests he “sees things completely differently” to England boss Gareth Southgate – who left the defender out of his recent squad for their World Cup warm-up game.

Klopp said: “Honestly, I just don’t get it. I just don’t get that part of it. A world-class talent gets judged by the one thing he is not as world class at as the other things.

“The skill set he has for being influential in possession is mad for a right-back. I don’t know if I ever saw a right-back like this.

“How influential can Trent be? That’s No.1. What is he good at? That is how you judge a player. It’s an easy pick.

“Whichever team I coach, I would sign him because he is exceptional. If he wasn’t a good defender, he wouldn’t play for me.”