Arne Slott admits people will think Trent Alexander-Arnold’s performance in title-chasing Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United was influenced by rumors surrounding his future. .
The Liverpool right-back has been linked with Real Madrid this week, but had a memorable game against United at Anfield on Sunday as he frustrated the Premier League leaders.
Alexander-Arnold is currently in the final six months of his contract with his boyhood club, but has struggled to impose himself and was responsible for the away team’s first goal.
Reds manager Slott doesn’t think the speculation has had much of an impact, but admits others will have a different take on the issue.
The Dutch player said: “Nine out of 10 people would say it affected him. I’m one of the 10 who said I don’t think it affected him.
Liverpool 2-2 Man United
“What affected him was that he had to play against great players in Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, the starting pitchers for Portugal.
“If these players come into the game, and United sometimes do, they are very difficult to play against.
“I think it’s going to be a tougher matchup for Trent than the rumors that were going on that week.
“But that’s my opinion, and everyone will probably say it has something to do with the rumors.”
Liverpool regained a six-point gap over second-placed Arsenal with a game remaining and, after Martinez’s goal put United ahead, they fought back with a goal from Cody Gakpo and a penalty from Mohamed Salah to take the lead.
Still lacking their usual control, United showed a spirit that has been noticeably lacking of late, and Amad Diallo equalized the score in the opening 10 minutes.
Things could have gone from bad to worse for Liverpool as Harry Maguire grabbed a crucial chance in stoppage time to snatch victory for United.
Slott said, “I think it’s natural that we dropped two points.
“I think for a lot of people what’s going to happen at the end lingers in their minds, but of course for Maguire it was a big opportunity.
“But what you tend to forget is that two minutes ago Virgil had given us a great chance to make it 3-2.
“In the end, it was a difficult game. It’s not always easy to play against that style of football, especially when you have such quality players.”
United’s performance ended a three-game losing streak, with captain Bruno Fernandes expressing frustration at his team’s inability to consistently generate such intensity.
The Portuguese told Sky Sports: “If we showed this today at Anfield against Liverpool, who are top of the league and are probably the outstanding team in the Premier League this season, why can’t we do this every week?”? ”
Manager Ruben Amorim was pleased with the reaction of his players after heavy criticism following Monday’s defeat to Newcastle.
He said: “I want to see the team play better, but I think the most important thing here is the mentality. That’s the key to everything.
“We were a different team today, not because of the system, not because of the technical side of the game, not because of the tactical side of the game, but because we competed the way we should have every day in practice and in games.”
“It doesn’t matter where you are or who you are with. We have to face that every day.”
