Trent Alexander-Arnold's desire has been criticised by Robbie Fowler and Rio Ferdinand following Liverpool's 4-1 Champions League defeat to Napoli.
The right-back played the entirety of the match in Naples, but his performance in the defeat has come under criticism.
Speaking to BT Sport, Fowler said: "What I would say is you can't question the desire of this team over the last few years, but you can tonight.
"We know how good Napoli are and they've been brilliant, but Liverpool have been so poor. Joe Gomez will get all the stick [for his first-half performance] but look at the lack of desire from Trent.
"You can't call out him going forward but defensively we can pick him apart because he doesn't show the same desire to get back than he does to get forward and that's wrong. Liverpool were shocking defensively."
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Former Manchester defender Ferdinand agreed with his fellow pundit, questioning why Alexander-Arnold failed to help his teammates defensively.
Ferdinand added: "It was an embarrassing first 45 minutes for Liverpool, particularly defensively. What you can't accept as a manager or as a player is a lack of effort and desire.
"When people don't run or don't have the desire to get back. Gomez makes the mistake but you've got to get back and help your teammates and Trent didn't do that.
"Liverpool got teased, they got embarrassed, they got shown up. This result has been coming too. They were lacklustre and lacked grit, determination and desire."
Alexander-Arnold and his Liverpool teammates will look to bounce back when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday.
