Brighton attacker Kaoru Mitoma has rejected criticism of Liverpool fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Alexander-Arnold has been hammered this season over his defending.

But Mitoma insists the Liverpool right-back is one of the most challenging opponents he has faced since moving to Brighton in 2021.

"Well, before coming overseas I was in Japan so it would be players from Meiji University such as Keigo Tsunemoto and Hotaka Nakamura (FC Tokyo)," said the 25-year-old when asked to rank his defensive counterparts he has faced during his professional career.

"Because I've played against them often, they know the features of my play well and I was stopped many times.

"When it comes to foreign players, I got past Trent Alexander-Arnold once but soon after that when I was blocked by him, his arms were strong. People tend to think that his defending seems weak but he is totally strong, from what I've felt in person."