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Nathaniel Clyne should be looking over his shoulder.

Since his £12.5million move from Southampton two years ago the England international has always been one of the first names on the Liverpool teamsheet.

Last season the right-back was a model of consistency - clocking up 52 appearances en route to helping the Reds reach two major finals. Where others were guilty of wildly fluctuating form, Clyne was solid and reliable - always a six or a seven out of 10.

He started this campaign in a similar manner but he hasn’t been able to sustain it. In recent months his contribution has waned - both offensively and defensively.

At the same time Trent Alexander-Arnold’s rise to prominence has given Jurgen Klopp plenty of food for thought.

Klopp was an impressed spectator at Prenton Park on Monday night as the 18-year-old from West Derby delivered an accomplished man-of-the-match display for Liverpool Under-23s in their victory over Chelsea.

Alexander-Arnold’s rampaging runs forward gave the young Reds an extra attacking dimension. He earned the penalty which was converted by Harry Wilson before securing the points himself with a classy free-kick.

The Academy graduate has made rapid progress since Klopp gave him his senior debut against Tottenham in the EFL Cup back in October. There was the quality delivery for Divock Origi which broke Leeds’ stubborn resistance in the following round.

Combative and composed, he certainly didn’t let anyone down on his full Premier League debut at Old Trafford in January after Clyne was ruled out with an abdominal muscle injury.

Alexander-Arnold, who has benefited massively from training at Melwood every day, is still learning his trade but he’s shown he’s got the temperament and the attitude to complement his wealth of talent.

Clyne needs to respond accordingly because his performances of late haven’t been up to scratch.

Caught napping by Danny Welbeck when the Arsenal striker reduced the deficit at Anfield recently, the 25-year-old also didn’t cover himself in glory when Ashley Barnes fired Burnley ahead last Sunday.

Klopp’s full-backs have a licence to attack and see plenty of the ball in advanced positions but Clyne has been failing to make it count.

He hasn’t scored since the 6-0 rout of Aston Villa in February 2016 and has only chipped in with three assists in 31 appearances in all competitions this season. Two of those assists were in August with the other at Middlesbrough in December.

On the other flank, makeshift left-back James Milner boasts five assists to go with the six penalties he has tucked away.

Clyne gets into some fantastic areas but far too often his final ball lets him down. Klopp and Liverpool need more from him at both ends of the field.

Alexander-Arnold is coming up on the rails and Clyne should be feeling the competition.

His place is no longer as secure as it once was.