Embarrassing Trent Alexander-Arnold stat emerges as Danny Ings extends Liverpool’s winless run

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Liverpool’s bad form continued as their 1-0 defeat at Southampton consigned them to a third straight match without a win.

It was a familiar face who scored the decisive goal with Danny Ings excellently lobbing Alisson Becker inside the first two minutes.

Ings took advantage of some slack Liverpool defending before beating Alisson

Ings’ celebrations were muted despite the excellent goal

The champions were off the pace throughout the St Mary’s clash, registering just one shot on target.

But one player who particularly had a night to forget was Trent Alexander-Arnold, with a horror stat emerging about the Reds right-back.

Alexander-Arnold gave the ball away 38 times which is more than any other Premier League player has done in a match this season.

Was this the worst performance of Alexander-Arnold’s career?

Jurgen Klopp’s side are still top of the table but they’ve played one more match than second-placed Manchester United, who they’re level on points with.

Alexander-Arnold was hauled off in the 77th minute following his horror show, which got off to the worst possible start as Ings scored after Saints caught the England star napping.

Ings got goal side of his former teammate, latching onto James Ward-Prowse’s quick free-kick before brilliantly looping the ball over the onrushing Alisson with his left foot.

The error will be seen as very unlike Alexander-Arnold, however, talkSPORT’s Dean Ashton saw this coming as he highlighted a ‘a real issue’ in Liverpool’s defence last month.

This goal extended Liverpool’s winless run to three matches

Alexander-Arnold was at fault for the goal and didn’t get any better afterwards

“Trent Alexander Arnold and Joel Matip have got a real issue,” Ashton said during Liverpool’s 7-0 win at Crystal Palace.

“Obviously Trent wants to push forward and be that outlet on the right hand side, but Ebere Eze and Wilfried Zaha are really hugging that right hand side, interchanging positions and trying to get a two-vs-one against the full-back and Matip isn’t coming across particularly quickly.

“Alexander-Arnold, so often his body position isn’t great, he very much watches the ball rather than the man and can be caught time and time again in those positions.

“That’s the slight difference between Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.

Alexander-Arnold is an impressive attacking talent and assist machine, but is often caught up at the back

“Robertson can smell danger more, he got back into cover to help Fabinho a lot. I don’t think that’s a real detriment to Alexander-Arnold, he’s still very young and I think he will improve. I think he needs help.”

Liverpool had plenty of time to respond but rarely threatened. Mohamed Salah headed Sadio Mane’s cross just over on the stroke of half time while Mane headed a corner from the left over in the final minute of the match.

Their only shot on target came in the 74th minute as Mane’s scuffed effort was comfortably saved by Southampton’s stand-in stopper Fraser Forster.

Although the home side sat back while Liverpool dominated possession, Southampton looked the more likely to score with substitute Nathan Tella curling just wide while Yan Valery’s shot through Alisson’s legs lacked the required oomph to roll into the net.