Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has praised teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold for handling his early season criticism.

Alexander-Arnold impressed in keeping Napoli dangerman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia quiet in Tuesday's 2-0 win.

"Trent is probably one of the most level-headed people around," Gomez said. "He's a real consistent character. I can't step into his shoes and feel what he feels or have his perspective but it's a by-product of how good he is as a player and all he has achieved so young already. Sometimes it doesn't seem fair, but it's part and parcel of football, I guess.

"Trent definitely applies himself every day and controls what he can control. It's a given that he is going to try and perform the best he can for the team. That's what he does and tries to do every week, but as players you can't control what is said about you.

"He is obviously going to try and do the best he can, but as a person and off the pitch he's definitely himself. He always keeps the same application every day and has definitely not dipped his head or is worried about anything."

Speaking to Liverpool's official match-day programme, Gomez added: "Defending is the platform. The intensity and the way we play comes from the front. It's not just done individually or by the back four or the centre-backs, right-back or left-back. The manager puts the emphasis on defending as a team and the consequence that then has on the result.

"We're in a results-based space and winning is everything. Even when we don't necessarily play how we want to or get the result the way we want to, when we go home or come into the dressing room after we've won there is no better feeling.

"You can't replicate it or draw a game and feel the same. It's everything and there is a winning culture here that's made tricky times recently a new experience to deal with. All we want as a team is to win every time we play."