Former Liverpool captain Ronnie Whelan says manager Jurgen Klopp needs to adjust his system to get the best from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool and Ireland legend Whelan says Alexander-Arnold could hold the key to any success this season.

"Going forward, there is no one better and if he can develop the defensive side of his game, he will be up there with the best players in the world, without a doubt," said Whelan, who won six league titles and the European Cup during his time at Liverpool, to the Sunday World.

"The trouble is, he has these lapses in concentration and the opposition know they will come if you target that area of the Liverpool team.

"Look at the Champions League final last season and that was a good example of the good and the bad with Trent.

"Going forward, he was a threat and then you see Real Madrid's winning goal with Vinicius Junior coming in behind him. He doesn't spot those runs at times.

"I played with Phil Neal in my time at Liverpool and he was always aware of what was going on around him and sometimes Trent is not the best at that.

"You have to say Klopp is not too worried about Trent and he encourages him to go forward and make best use of his attacking talents.

"If that is the policy, then it is up to Klopp to find a way of building his team to compensate for him going forward.

"When you have a talent like Trent in the team, you want to make the most out of what he offers and that's a challenge for Klopp and his coaching staff moving forward."