Trent Alexander-Arnold will come through his difficult start to this season and "be a better player for it".

That is the opinion of former Liverpool striker John Aldridge, who discussed Alexander-Arnold's recent struggles in an exclusive interview with Stats Perform.

The right-back's performances have been scrutinised since the start of the campaign following a series of lax defensive displays.

Alexander-Arnold already faced a battle to make England's World Cup squad before contributing to Liverpool's underwhelming results.

Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate did not use Alexander-Arnold in the September internationals as he explained squad rival Kieran Trippier's "all-round game is ahead".

Until this season, Alexander-Arnold's club form had at least been consistent, and Aldridge is confident he will soon be back to his best.

"You're looking at one of the best full-backs in the world," Aldridge told Stats Perform. "Attacking wise, [he is] the best full-back in the world, without a doubt.

"He's a local lad. He's focused. He just needs to learn a bit about the defensive responsibilities he has.

"But he's got to be allowed to do what he does, and he's been let down by players in front of him and the midfield that don't cover for him as well this year, in my opinion.

"So, it's not entirely his fault, but he seems to be getting the finger pointed at him all the time, and what Gareth Southgate did to him, I don't think that did him any good at all.

"He's a young lad, this is the first time he's gone through anything like this. Everything's been rosy for him.

"And you've got to learn how to take the rough with the smooth in football, and he will come out of this, and he will be a better player for it."

Alexander-Arnold could yet go to Qatar with England next month, with Kyle Walker and Reece James both injured.

Aldridge added: "I think Reece James is out now by all accounts. Will he take Trent? If he doesn't take him, he's not the manager I thought he was, and I think he's done a very good job for England, Gareth.

"From my personal point of view, I'm going to be selfish and say I hope he doesn't go. But if he wants to go, I hope he goes."

Pep Guardiola's claim Manchester City's goal against Liverpool was ruled out due to the game being played at Anfield suggests he is "trying to be the new Alex Ferguson", John Aldridge has told Stats Perform.

City lost for the first time in the Premier League this season on Sunday, with Mohamed Salah's strike the difference in a 1-0 Liverpool win.

But Guardiola's side earlier appeared to have taken the lead when Phil Foden scored, only for the play to be called back following a VAR review.

Erling Haaland's tug on Fabinho's shirt was spotted in the build-up, with Liverpool awarded a foul that Guardiola felt was at odds with the spirit the rest of the fixture was played in.

Referee Anthony Taylor told City's coaching staff he was "not going to make fouls", according to Guardiola, whose explanation for the initial decision being overturned was simple: "This is Anfield."

Former Liverpool striker Aldridge, speaking to Stats Perform in an exclusive interview, felt this siege mentality was a tactic from the playbook of legendary Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

"He's trying to be the new Alex Ferguson, I think," Aldridge said. "Anfield is Anfield, but that referee didn't succumb to the Anfield atmosphere.

"He gave some bad decisions against Liverpool as well. He gave that decision for Man City, it was only the VAR [that spotted the foul].

"It's swings and roundabouts. Last week we were at the VAR's detriment against Arsenal on three occasions; this week we got the break.

"In our day, I have to say that wouldn't have been a foul, but in the modern day he's pulled him down with the shirt, everyone's seen, and it was a foul.

"From a centre-forward's point of view, if it happened to Liverpool, I'd be going mad, but I can see why he pulled it back.

"He was always going to argue with that, Pep, and it's them decisions that win you games. If that had been allowed, we might have got a draw, but we certainly wouldn't have won the game."