Klopp claims he will ‘knock down’ anyone who says Alexander-Arnold can’t defend

JURGEN KLOPP has stood by Trent Alexander-Arnold and his defensive showing against Arsenal.

The right-back faced a tough test up against tricky Gunners winger Gabriel Martinelli who got the better of the England man on more than one occasion.

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Alexander-Arnold has often been criticised for his lack of defensive ability during his career.

But Klopp is perplexed by such claims, arguing he did not do much wrong at The Emirates.

He also pointed out that Martinelli is a very good player, having praised the Brazilian previously after a Carabao Cup clash in January.

Klopp said to Sky Sports: “Apart from the diagonal balls to Martinelli, which Trent defended incredibly – Martinelli is such a talented boy – it’s really tricky.

“If anybody says that Trent cannot defend then they can come to me and I’ll knock them down.

“I cannot hear that anymore, I don’t know what more the boy has to do.”

But Klopp will be going home to Liverpool a happy manager after securing a ninth consecutive Premier League win that leaves them a point behind leaders Manchester City.

He will be particularly happy with his other full-back, Andy Robertson, who showed brilliant determination to assist Liverpool’s second goal.

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But it was a bit of tactical genius from Klopp that produced the second goal as Roberto Firmino tapped home minutes after coming on.

He replaced Diogo Jota immediately after the Portuguese opened the scoring – a brave call by Klopp.