Coach defends Alexander-Arnold after poor efficiency towards Man Utd

Coach defends Alexander-Arnold after poor efficiency towards Man Utd

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot defended Trent Alexander-Arnold who drew scathing criticism from pundits after their 2-2 draw with mid-table Manchester United on Sunday, a outcome that felt like “two points lost” for the Premier League leaders.

United’s Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot left the Liverpool defender — who has been linked this week with a transfer to Spanish giants Real Madrid — chasing shadows for a lot of the sport, and former United captain Roy Keane pulled no punches.

“We talk about how brilliant Trent is going forward, but Trent’s defending today, my goodness it’s like schoolboy stuff,” Keane mentioned on the Sky Sports broadcast.

“There’s talk about him going to Real Madrid, the way he’s defending he’s going to Tranmere Rovers after this. He’s got to do better.”

Contract chatter

Asked if Alexander-Arnold was distracted by the chatter about his contract, which is ready to run out on the season’s finish, Slot mentioned: “I don’t consider in these issues.

“I think nine out of 10 people will tell you that it affected him, but I’m one of the 10 that tells you that I don’t think that affected him. What affected him is that he had to play Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, two starters for Portugal, great, great, great players,” Slot mentioned.

“We have a fantastic player here with Diogo Jota, and he’s not even playing for Portugal. So that tells you how much quality United has. Probably everybody’s going to tell you that it had to do with the rumours. But my opinion is different.”

Still on prime

League Two’s Tranmere Rovers responded to Keane’s feedback with a tongue-in-cheek publish on social media platform X, writing: “Trent to Tranmere, Roy? Nah, we’re alright thanks.”

Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah scored for the Reds, who remained prime of the desk with 46 factors, six forward of second-placed Arsenal with a recreation in hand.

Slot mentioned the draw felt like their 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in mid-September, their solely defeat this season.

“Of course, it feels for us as two points dropped,” the Dutchman mentioned. “It was a tough recreation, bit just like perhaps the Nottingham Forest recreation, the place taking part in model of each groups had been fairly comparable. Defending within the low block with a whole lot of our bodies, and if that they had the ball, to not danger to construct up, however play it lengthy.

“That is not always easy to play against that style of football, and that’s what showed against Forest, and it showed again today as well.”