Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has defended Trent Alexander-Arnold and believes the reaction he received after the draw with Manchester United is the “biggest compliment” he could get.
Alexander-Arnold was below his usual standards during the 2-2 draw with Liverpool’s rivals and plenty of criticism was aimed in his direction for his performances.
Alexander-Arnold was left on the bench against Tottenham for the midweek Carabao Cup semi-final. He returned to the side to captain Liverpool against Accrington Stanley in the third round of the FA Cup and scored in a 4-0 victory.
Matters have not been helped by the speculation surrounding his future. The 26-year-old is out of contract in the summer and the build-up to the game against Manchester United was dominated by links to Real Madrid, whose enquiries about a January move were rejected by Liverpool.
Slot was pleased with the defender’s performance against Accrington Stanley and felt he was unfairly criticised for his performance against Manchester United, suggesting it could be related to his contract situation.
“The biggest compliment Trent could get was the reaction of everyone after the Manchester United game,” Slot said during his post-match press conference. “Every player around the world, except for a few, have bad games and that is completely normal but the moment Trent has a bad game, everybody has an opinion about it.
“Maybe that has to do with the contract situation, I don’t know if that wasn’t there if everybody would have reacted in the same way.
“Maybe it is the biggest compliment you can get that if is you have such a great first half of the season and you don’t play a good game against United – that was clear for me, the fans for you (journalists), for all the analysts that saw the game – many of them were quite hard on him and maybe that is the biggest compliment you can get.”
Alexander-Arnold’s sensational strike, which Slot labelled “unbelievable”, on the stroke of half time gave Liverpool a two goal lead just before half time and he acknowledged The Kop as he returned to his position as supporters sang his song and name.
GO DEEPER
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool and Real Madrid: What we’re hearing
It was the second positive reception the defender has received from supporters. He was also shown plenty of support during his impressive cameo off the bench against Tottenham.
The response to one of Liverpool’s key performers pleased Slot, who dismissed the suggestion that he selected Alexander-Arnold to allow him to concentrate on football rather than the outside noise. Managing Conor Bradley’s return from his recent injury, and Liverpool’s midweek travel difficulties (link to news story) made the decision an easy one.
“I do think that is important but that is not the reason to play him,” Slot said. “For me it was too big of a risk to play a player (Bradley) that had a hamstring issue (a number of weeks ago) in two games, two days after the Tottenham game. The only other available full back is Trent.
“As a result of him playing it was good for him to play again in our own stadium and feel the reception of the fans again, that was already fantastic when we played Tottenham.
“That was special for him today and that will only help him and us. If you want to do special things during this season, we have to do it together – not only the players, the manager, but definitely the players with the fans.”
Premier League leaders Liverpool return to action against third-placed Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
GO DEEPER
Why do Real Madrid want Alexander-Arnold – and what would he bring to Ancelotti’s side?
(Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
