Roy Keane has once again criticized Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive play, continuing his habit of singling out the Liverpool right-back. Despite Alexander-Arnold's solid performances in recent matches, including strong displays against Chelsea and RB Leipzig, Keane wasted no time taking aim at the defender’s reliability.
“Everyone kept praising Trent’s defending, yet the manager took him off with 10 minutes to go,” Keane noted on *Stick to Football*. “2-1 up with 10 minutes left, and he’s subbed. That sends a great message, right?”
In reality, Liverpool’s decision to substitute Alexander-Arnold was likely due to a heavy game schedule, with key matches on the horizon. Joe Gomez is a strong substitute, and giving Alexander-Arnold some rest ahead of Sunday’s important clash against Arsenal made strategic sense. This season, Liverpool’s defense has been solid, conceding just six goals across 12 games, with Alexander-Arnold playing a significant role in maintaining clean sheets.
For Liverpool, this choice was more about managing player fitness than doubting Alexander-Arnold’s abilities, yet Keane continues to use the moment to question the defender's skills.