Mitoma sides with the Liverpool star during an interview. In the face of harsh criticism, Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has been defended by Brighton & Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma. The English right-back is strong and not as defensively vulnerable as supporters believe, according to the Japanese ace. Brighton is still winless despite having met Liverpool three times this year. Both in the Premier League and the FA Cup, they overcame the Reds 3-0 and 2-1, respectively, last month. In the latter, Mitoma scored a winning goal in overtime.
In a SPOTV interview, Mitoma was questioned about the top one-on-one opponents he has faced. Before adding Alexander-Arnold to the list, he originally included Keigo Tsunemoto and Hotaka Nakamura. He stated: “Since I lived in Japan before moving abroad, it would be athletes from Meiji University like Hotaka Nakamura and Keigo Tsunemoto, who is presently playing for the Kashima Antlers (FC Tokyo). I’ve played against them frequently, so they are familiar with my play’s characteristics, and I was frequently stopped.”
Mitoma said, “The Reds defense,” adding: “I once managed to get past Trent Alexander-Arnold when playing against foreign players, but he quickly blocked me because of the strength of his arms. People often perceive him as being weak when he is very strong, in my experience.”
This season, Trent Alexander-Arnold has not been at his best, which has contributed to Liverpool’s demise. The Reds were eliminated from the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, and they are currently tenth in the Premier League.
Earlier this year, the Reds’ defense was attacked by former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf, who referred to him as a “Championship quality” defender. He started to Journal du Dimanche that “Trent Alexander-Arnold is an example. I adore the guy’s offensive characteristics. However, he is at Championship level defensively. His only effective system is Klopp’s. All you notice are his defensive flaws when it doesn’t function as well as it has this season.”
He added: “I want to concentrate on the fundamentals with him with me. I would tell him to turn around and look behind him because things would already be better. Years of defenders were distorted by Roberto Carlos.” On Monday, February 13, Liverpool plays Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield in the Premier League.
Stay informed on the latest football news, rumors, and updates by keeping up with this space and finding more information on your favorite players and teams.
