Liverpool head coach praises right-back’s professionalism and performance despite “mixed emotions” from fans over exit
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has come to the defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold after the vice-captain was booed by fans during his appearance in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Anfield.
It was a big moment for Alexander-Arnold, making his first appearance since announcing that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. While many in the stadium applauded him, boos from various sections were also clearly heard as he came onto the pitch in the second half.
Speaking after the game, Slot maintained – as he always has about this matter – that fans have the right to feel however they want and express it openly.
“Everybody can have their own opinion and everybody can express it,” said the Dutchman. “Some fans weren’t happy with him. I think all of them are not happy that he’s leaving, but a few chose to show it by booing, while others clapped.”
The game was finely balanced at 2-2 when Alexander-Arnold was introduced. Conor Bradley, who started the match at right-back, was taken off around the 70-minute mark, and Slot explained that he had no hesitation turning to Alexander-Arnold because the team needed the substitution.
“If we’re 2-2, and Conor can’t continue, and I’ve got a world-class full-back on the bench, I bring him in,” Slot said. “And I think it’s a compliment to him because you can understand how mixed the emotions were in his head, that you bring in a performance like that tells you why I think, why everybody thinks, he is a world-class full-back.
“And we were close to winning the game with him on. That’s what I owe to the players in the dressing room that work so hard every single day: to make decisions to try to win the game.”
Alexander-Arnold nearly delivered a memorable moment late on when he stepped up to take a free-kick. As he stood over the ball, there were cheers and much of the stadium actually urged him on. His effort went just wide.
Slot admitted he hadn’t spoken to the player directly after the game, but believed the experience may not have been as negative as it first appeared.
“I don’t know how he felt about it, I haven’t asked him,” he said. “But the reaction wasn’t all negative. Maybe he was positively surprised. When he had that free-kick, everyone was cheering him to score. So maybe it wasn’t as bad as people think.”
