‘Don’t know what to say’: Gary Neville speechless by what 24-year-old Liverpool player did against Newcastle

Gary Neville admitted that he did not know what to say after Trent Alexander-Arnold made the mistake that allowed Newcastle United to open the scoring against Liverpool on Sunday.

Neville was speaking on Sky Sports (broadcast on 27/8; 16:56) after Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock for the Magpies in the first-half at St James’ Park.

It proved to be a miserable first-half for Trent Alexander-Arnold. Many will feel that he was incredibly lucky to avoid a red card after a booking in the sixth minute.

The right-back threw the ball after feeling that he had been fouled by Gordon. Shortly after, Alexander-Arnold brought the winger down as he attempted to break. Surprisingly, the referee decided against producing a second yellow card.

Neville left baffled by Alexander-Arnold after mistake

But Gordon would punish him shortly after. Alexander-Arnold presented a gift to the Newcastle wide-man as he let a pass from Mohamed Salah slide under his left foot.

Gordon was able to run through on goal and managed to find the back of the net with a smart finish.

Neville admitted that the mistake from Alexander-Arnold had left him somewhat speechless.

“He just gets it played back into him on his left foot by Mo Salah. And Matip and van Dijk are flat, they’re higher than actually the right-back,” he told Sky Sports.

“I don’t know what to say, someone who can control the ball brilliantly with either foot, lets it run under his left boot fatally.”

Alexander-Arnold has a right to feel aggrieved that he was not awarded the free-kick for the incident that led to his own yellow card. Gordon clearly shoved the Liverpool right-back off the field to stop him keeping the ball in play.

But from there, the defender seemed to be all over the place. Gordon had him beaten time and time again. And it did appear that Alexander-Arnold was wary of making a challenge in the build-up to the incident which led to Virgil van Dijk being sent off.

Unfortunately, Alexander-Arnold’s critics probably would have taken great joy in seeing him struggle so much. There has been so much said about his defensive frailties over the past couple of years.

The new role appeared to bring much more of the best out of Alexander-Arnold. But the early yellow card seemed to knock him completely off his stride.

Gordon took full advantage of that, taking every opportunity to run at him.

Ultimately, Liverpool fans will not care a jot about that now. But certainly, Alexander-Arnold’s struggles may leave Jurgen Klopp with something to think about going forward.

READ MORE……

Trent Alexander-Arnold issues verdict on Jarell Quansah display on Liverpool debut

Trent Alexander-Arnold has labelled Jarell Quansah extraordinary after the 20-year-old made his Liverpool debut in the incredible win over Newcastle United on Sunday.

Alexander-Arnold was speaking on Sky Sports (broadcast on 27/8; 18:47) after the Reds produced an unbelievable turnaround to take the three points away from St James’ Park.

Certainly, Jarell Quansah was always going to remember Sunday whatever happened. The youngster came on for Joel Matip with 13 minutes remaining on Tyneside. At the time, Liverpool were 1-0 down and down to 10 men after Virgil van Dijk had been sent off.

But of course, Liverpool produced one of the all-time great turnarounds. Darwin Nunez scored twice for the visitors to ensure that they snatched the three points from Eddie Howe’s men.

Alexander-Arnold lauds Quansah after Liverpool debut

It was a sickener for Newcastle who had the chances to kill the game off long before Nunez bagged his late brace.

Jurgen Klopp may have felt that the game presented a good opportunity to hand Quansah a chance. Ultimately, it looked pretty bleak for Liverpool for most of the afternoon.

But Trent Alexander-Arnold has suggested that he was so impressed by the academy graduate’s display.

“The lads that came on, outstanding. Jarell Quansah, absolutely phenomenal in his first game for us, coming on in an atmosphere and an environment like this is extraordinary. And to hold his own in the way he’s performed is outstanding,” he told Sky Sports.

This is the kind of victory which could launch Liverpool’s season. Of course, there are plenty of issues to address. Alexander-Arnold had the first-half of nightmares. And Virgil van Dijk will now be suspended after his sending off.

But the win proved that there is something special about this Liverpool squad.

It will be interesting to see if Quansah receives further opportunities over the course of the campaign, particularly with Liverpool in the Europa League this year.

Clearly, he has managed to really impress Alexander-Arnold with his cameo on his Liverpool bow. Obviously, the hope will be that Quansah is someone we are talking about for a long, long time to come after a famous day for Liverpool.