Liverpool coach Arne Slot defended Trent Alexander-Arnold, who received harsh criticism after the 2-2 draw with Manchester United this Sunday (5), a result that seemed like “two lost points” for the Premier leader League.
The Liverpool full-back – who was linked this week with a transfer to Real Madrid – was heavily criticized by the former United captain and current commentator for English broadcaster Sky Sports, Roy Keane.
“We talk about how brilliant Trent is moving forward, but Trent’s defense today, my God, is schoolboy stuff. There are rumors about him going to , the way he’s defending, he’s going to Tranmere Rovers after that. He has to improve,” Keane said during the broadcast.
Manager Arne Slot was asked if Alexander-Arnold was distracted by talk about his contract, which expires at the end of the season.
“I don’t believe in these things. I think nine out of ten people will say it affected you, but I’m one of the 10 who say they don’t think it affected you. What affected him is that he had to mark Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, two starters from Portugal, big, big, big players,” said Slot.
“Probably everyone will say it had to do with the rumors. But my opinion is different”, he added.
Keane also said that Alexander-Arnold should play for Tranmere Rovers, a team in England’s third division. On social media, the club responded ironically with a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“Trent to Tranmere, Roy? No, we’re fine, thank you”, wrote the page with a photo of British Cameron Norman, the team’s right back.
Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah scored for the Reds, who remain top of the table with 46 points, six ahead of second-placed , who have a game in hand.
Slot said the draw was like the 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in mid-September, their only defeat this season.
“Of course, it makes us feel like we have lost two points,” said the Dutchman. “It was a difficult game, a bit like the Nottingham Forest game, in which the teams’ playing style was very similar. Defending in the low block with many bodies, and, if they have the ball, don’t risk building, but play long”, he added.
“It’s not always easy to play against this style of football, and that was evident against Forest and it was evident again today.”
