Trent Alexander-Arnold’s recent weight gain from lifting sessions in the gym could be a reason for his struggles on the pitch.
This is the opinion of talkSPORT pundits Danny Murphy and Darren Bent, who claim the Liverpool star has bulked up too much.
Alexander-Arnold burst onto the scene at Liverpool in 2016 and eventually grew to get the tag as one of best right-backs in world football. However, his defensive abilities, or lack of it, have once again come under scrutiny.
The 24-year-old was once again culprit and struggled to make an impact in his side’s 4-1 loss against Manchester City at the weekend, something that has happened far too many times this season.
He recently showed off his workout session at the gym on Instagram but Murphy and Bent hint that his problem might lie in a change of routine and physique.
Alexander Arnold’s fitness has affected his form, claims pundits
Former Liverpool man Murphy told talkSPORT: “My obvious answer and the only thing I can think is he probably needs taking out the firing line and a good session on fitness.
“Maybe it’s too late this season now because they’re not getting in the top four anyway. But, I think whatever regime he’s going to do in the summer, it needs to be different because he needs to get back to his really sharp, fittest self.”
Bent asked if the defender has bulked up, and Murphy replied: “Yeah a little bit, that’s a good shout Benty. You mean wanting to look good rather than feel good, to be able to get about the pitch, he’s got in the gym a bit too much?”
Bent responded: “Potentially because I remember Gerard Houllier talking about it when I was with him at Aston Villa about players maybe doing too much weights and I get it, he looks fantastic.
“But when you look at him certainly a couple of years ago, he was a little bit slender. You know what it’s like Murph, if you continue to do the upper body weights, your mobility and willingness to turn a little bit can hinder you a little bit.
“I always look at Trent and think, with the football he’s still exceptional. His range of passing is still there, you don’t lose that. But his whole physique of getting around the pitch, getting sharp up to the attackers.
“One thing he used to do, even though his defensive responsibilities have been questioned for a little while now, he still used to get up against the wide man and at least make it look a little more difficult for him.”
“But now he’s not even doing that, so he’s almost allowing the wide men to turn, run at him and then all of a sudden he’s struggling a little bit.
“So I definitely agree with Murph, the regime whatever he is doing, he needs to change it. Maybe less time in the gym lifting weights and maybe more time on the grass.”
