'They are compared': Chris Sutton picks Man City player over Liverpool star in defending debate

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Liverpool have made a superb start to life under Arne Slot, with the Reds winning four of their five Premier League matches under the Dutchman.

Only Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa boast such a record, with Pep Guardiola's side a point clear of the duo at the top of the table.

The league leaders also top the pile for goals scored, but Slot has guided the Reds to the best defensive start to the season.

Liverpool have conceded just one goal, which arrived in the disappointing 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield.

But clean sheets have been a regular occurrence under Slot, who has clearly emphasised to his players just how important being tight at the back is.

Chris Sutton makes Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker comparison

Man City, in comparison, have conceded five goals so far, with just one clean sheet compared to Liverpool's four.

Playing a key role in that area for the Merseyside club has been Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Kyle Walker doing his best to help Man City stay firm at the back.

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The two right-backs have now been discussed on BBC 5 Live's The Monday Night Club following their latest matches, with journalist Rory Smith saying of Alexander-Arnold: "I've always found the debate about Trent's defending totally baffling. I don't understand it, I don't understand how anyone's watching football and thinking he's a terrible defender.

"Trent Alexander-Arnold gets caught 'out of position' because he's not meant to be standing on the edge of his 18-yard-box being a right-back from the 1970s, that's not his job. His job is to kind of drift forward and be a midfielder."

Pundit Chris Sutton, however, interjected, saying: "But that's not everything. I know where you're going with this, and I sort of agree, but there are also pecking orders, and people naturally when they're at the highest level, they are compared.

"So if you were to say is Trent as good a defender as Kyle Walker in one-v-one situations, the answer would be no. That's not a criticism, that's where he's judged at international level etcetera, etcetera."

Trent Alexander-Arnold impressing for Liverpool and England

Walker hasn't been heavily relied upon by Guardiola this season, with just three appearances to his name so far.

Alexander-Arnold, in contrast, has been a regular under Slot, with his impressive displays also spilling onto the international stage.

England interim manager Lee Carsley has favoured the Anfield star in his brief reign thus far, and it has proven to be a superb decision.

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Darren Bent called Alexander-Arnold unique after his England displays, with the defender picking up back-to-back Man of the Match awards.

Slot wants to improve Alexander-Arnold's defending, with the pair having clearly already formed a strong bond at Anfield.