Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold had a game to forget against Manchester United on Sunday, but former Reds defender Jamie Carragher believes this is the other full-back position they should look to strengthen.
Arne Slot's team fell behind by a few minutes in the second half at Anfield, with Lisandro Martinez threatening to hand them only a second defeat of the season. Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah turned that deficit into a narrow lead, only for Amad to ensure the spoils were shared.
Real Madrid-bound Alexander-Arnold was criticized by some, with both United goals coming down his flank. However, it came after one of his better performances of the season, with Slot praising him after December's win over West Ham.
Left back appears to be Carragher's biggest concern. Andy Robertson has faced some challenging moments this season, while back-up Kostas Tsimikas has struggled to convince, prompting suggestions for a new face.
“Liverpool need to sign a full-back. I think they need a left-back,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “Trent Alexander-Arnold was really poor. He will be a lot better than that and Conor Bradley is fantastic.
“I just think Andy Robertson, an absolute legend, keeps going every game. I don't think Kostas Tsimikas is the standard to replace him.
“I think if Liverpool could get a left-back in January it would put Liverpool in a very strong position to win the league,” he added. The Reds remain six points clear after Sunday's draw but missed a chance to further extend their lead at the top ahead of a trip to third-placed Nottingham Forest next time out.
Alexander-Arnold was defended by Slot after being criticized at half-time. Pundit and former United captain Roy Keane branded his first 45 minutes 'dismal', while the post-match studio debate included discussion about the defender's links with Real Madrid.
However, Slot believed United's strength was also a factor in the defender's struggles. “Trent has mainly played very good games for the club. Today was not his best game, but that also had something to do with it,” he told Sky Sports in an interview after the match.
“Sometimes Ryan [Gravenberch] wasn't close enough to him, so it was a two-on-one situation. I would rate it more on the quality [Diogo] Dalot]and Bruno Fernandes.”
Keane, however, was less forgiving. “His defense was schoolboy stuff,” he said at half-time. “He has to do better. They are talking about him going to Real Madrid. As he defends, he will go to Tranmere Rovers next.”
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