Liverpool gaffer Arne Slot rushed to the defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold following criticism aimed at the Englishman’s performance in their 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.
Constantly linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, the Liverpool defender came up against United’s Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot in a game which Red Devils legend and former captain Roy Keane severely criticised his display.
“We talk about how brilliant Trent is going forward, but Trent’s defending today, my goodness it’s like schoolboy stuff,” Keane said 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.”
Quizzed if Alexander-Arnold was affected by the talk about his contract, which is set to expire at the end of the season, Slot responded: “I don’t believe in those things.
“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.
“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,” the Dutchman said.
League Two’s Tranmere Rovers responded to Keane’s comments with a tongue-in-cheek post on social media platform X, writing: “Trent to Tranmere, Roy? Nah, we’re alright thanks.”
Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah netted for the Reds, who remained at the top of the log with 46 points, six ahead of second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand.
Slot although admitted the draw felt like their 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in mid-September, their only loss this season.
“Of course, it feels for us as two points dropped,” the Slot added.
“It was a difficult game, bit similar to maybe the Nottingham Forest game, where playing style of both teams were quite similar. Defending in the low block with a lot of bodies, and if they had the ball, not to risk to build up, but play it long.
“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.”
