"Should not have been put in this position in the first place" –Pundit says 'no one at Liverpool can complain' if Trent Alexander-Arnold leaves

Glen Johnson has expressed his concerns over Liverpool’s handling of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contract situation and the treatment the player has received from fans.

The former England international believes that Liverpool should have acted earlier to secure the future of one of their most talented players, warning that no one at the club could have any complaints if Alexander-Arnold were to leave for another team, particularly a European giant like Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold, who has been linked with an exit from Anfield, has faced scrutiny in the past few days, particularly for his defensive performances. Despite being a key player for the Reds, he has faced a barrage of criticisms in recent times from pundits and fans alike.

Johnson has recently suggested that this lack of appreciation, combined with overt criticism, may influence Alexander-Arnold’s decision to consider offers from other clubs.

Speaking on the matter, Johnson said (via Tribal Football):

“It’s a really tough one. All his family live in Liverpool. But look, he's won everything. He's been great. He should not have been put in this position in the first place. No one at Liverpool can complain if he leaves because they should have re-signed him last year. And obviously, I don't think how the fans behaved towards him at the weekend helps him stay. And the criticism he gets in the UK doesn't help him stay either.

''Everyone wants him to stay, but then everyone's doing the opposite. And if you're getting abused in a home game, after winning everything, and then Real Madrid are saying, “we'll come and play for us”, that's going to be hard to turn down.”

‘’It’s not the first time we’ve seen it – Glen Johnson backs Liverpool defender to bounce back from a poor run of form

Further, Glen Johnson also leapt to the defense of Trent Alexander-Arnold amid the criticism that the defender has been subjected to of late.

After Liverpool’s match with Manchester United, pundit Roy Keane took a dig at Arnold, saying he’d be joining League Two side Tranmere Rovers after his uncharacteristic display.

Glen Johnson said:

‘’He was poor defensively but without being rude, it's not the first time we've seen it. He's done it many times before and bounced back from it. He still brings an awful lot to the game,”

Speaking on why Arnold received an unwelcoming reception from some of the Anfield faithful on against Manchester United on Sunday, Johnson said:

“I guess there’s some frustration with the fact that he wasn't playing well and the fact that they (the supporters, ed.) kind of know he's very close to going to Madrid. So, they probably see him as being a little bit disloyal. Not that he is, because let's face it, he hasn't got a contract and he needs to play football somewhere. It was obviously a huge game and with him not playing well, the fans never live well with that. But to be yelling at him from the start is absolute madness,”

Just like Arnold, Glen Johnson primarily played as a right-back during his playing days. Johnson plied his trade at Liverpool between 2009 and 2015 and scored 9 goals and provided 16 assists for the Reds in 200 appearances.

​