-Credit:Getty Images
Trent Alexander-Arnold will be looking forward to Liverpool’s next game and putting Sunday’s calamitous performance against Manchester United behind him.
The right-back had an afternoon to forget as he was exposed several times in the wide areas, was partly culpable for two goals and was also sloppy in possession.
It was a display that earned widespread criticism from the Sky Sports pundits. Roy Keane joked that Tranmere Rovers could be his next destination, Jamie Carragher said he was lucky not to be replaced earlier and Gary Neville suggested he was distracted at Anfield in the 2-2 draw.
READ MORE: Liverpool told ‘major concern’ about Conor Bradley amid Trent Alexander-Arnold uncertainty
READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk fumes at Liverpool teammate as Arne Slot proven right – 5 talking points vs Man Utd
It wasn’t just the former professionals who reserved judgement for Alexander-Arnold, clearly certain sections of the fanbase are also infuriated by his output against United. Journalist Lewis Steele posted on X from the game claiming one fan was heard shouting: “If you don’t wanna be here Trent, —- off.”
Evidently, the supporter’s insinuation is that Alexander-Arnold is already thinking about next season and the possibility of signing for Real Madrid. The 15-time European champions are keen on the England international joining for free this summer when his contract expires, and saw a £20m ($25m) bid rejected for the player last week.
It meant Alexander-Arnold dominated much of the pre- and post-match discussions at the weekend and the pressure showed in his out-of-character display. Liverpool fans will hope it was a one-off rather than a recurring theme, but Arne Slot can’t afford many more afternoons like that from his no.66.
The Dutchman did offer a robust defence of the player after the game. “Trent has played mostly very good games for the club. Today was not his best game but that had to do with them as well,” he told Sky Sports.
One fan voiced his frustrations at Trent Alexander-Arnold’s performance against Manchester United. -Credit:Getty Images
“Sometimes Ryan [Gravenberch] was not close enough to him so it was a two-on-one situation. I would put it more on the quality of [Diogo] Dalot and Bruno Fernandes.”
Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk also leapt to the defence of his team-mate despite airing his frustrations at Alexander-Arnold on several occasions and said the Real saga is not impacting the player.
“He wants to perform in the best way possible as we all do,” said the center-back. “That is the main focus. In my opinion, maybe ask him, that is the distraction, the game.”
With cup matches upcoming against Tottenham Hotspur and Accrington Stanley, the chance to rest Alexander-Arnold and keep him out of the firing line is a possibility for Slot over the next week.