'Stop talking smack!' - Alexander-Arnold defended by Jake Paul after wonder goal

The under-pressure right-back has been the cause of much debate over his spot in Gareth Southgate's England squad, but sent a message by putting the Reds 1-0 up against Rangers.

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The wonderful curling effort from a dead ball was Liverpool's first in the Champions League proper since Steven Gerrard found the net against Basel in almost eight years ago, and the club legend was there to see it go in.

Alexander-Arnold has bagged in the competition before against Hoffenheim, but that was a qualifier in 2017 when the Englishman announced himself as a future star.

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His attacking prowess hasn't been up for debate as he continues to rack up assist after assist, as well as the odd goal, but his ability at the other end of the pitch has seen him out of favour under Southgate.

The 23-year-old was called up for the Three Lions for Nations League games against Italy and Germany, but was left on the bench for the first match, and wasn't even in the squad for the second.

That caused much debate in the footballing world, with Jurgen Klopp having to defend Alexander-Arnold before he had a tricky outing in Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Brighton.

And for talkSPORT host and former England international Darren Bent, the free-kick was enough to silence his critics.

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"Just for that Trent has to be in the squad," he wrote on Twitter. "Gareth must be hating these last two nights, first [James] Maddison now Trent."

Liverpool fan and social media sensation Jake Paul also had his say, writing: "What a beaut!

"Lots of people talking smack about Alexander-Arnold this season…but that's why he's a killa."