"Stop talking about what he can’t do" - Joe Cole wowed by outstanding Liverpool star

Ex-Chelsea and England man Joe Cole has lavished praise on Trent Alexander-Arnold as the Liverpool defender continues to impress in his new role.

TAA has delivered a series of eye-catching displays for Liverpool in recent weeks, with the England international producing another superb performance in the Reds' 2-1 comeback victory against West Ham United.

Speaking to BT Sport, as cited by Anfield Watch's Twitter account, Cole believes fans and pundits need to stop focusing on Trent's defensive frailties and instead praise him for his passing range and vision in his new-found midfield role.

“What he does is he gives you options. He comes into the midfield, creates an overload, he can’t be picked up. He drops in deep, turns, lovely round the corner, he starts the attacks and he builds up.

”Look at the forwards, they’re making runs because they know he’s got the ability to find them. He was outstanding there. We have to stop talking about what he can’t do Trent, we need to talk about what he can do.

”He’s an outstanding footballer, he needs to be playing regularly for Liverpool and regularly for England. When he’s got the ball and he’s looking around. Trust me, as a forward, you want Trent in the team.”

ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT

It's rather refreshing to see Trent receive praise from a renowned pundit and a former footballer in Joe Cole, with the young Scouser being on the wrong end of some harsh criticism in the current campaign. He hasn't been anywhere close to his best, but you could say that about most Liverpool players this season, indicating that it has been a collective failure from Jurgen Klopp's side.

Trent's new role has seen Liverpool function a lot better as a team and if he continues to impress between now and the end of the season, Klopp will have a lot to ponder as he enters what could be the most important summer transfer window of his Anfield reign.