Liverpool boss Arne Slot insists he will continue picking Trent Alexander-Arnold despite the outgoing star being subjected to boos from sections of the Anfield crowd
Arne Slot promised to carry on picking Trent Alexander-Arnold despite the Liverpool full back becoming Anfield’s public enemy No1.
Alexander-Arnold was subjected to loud, overwhelming booing from the home fans when he came on as a second half substitute in Liverpool’s draw with Arsenal. England star Alexander-Arnold announced this week he will leave Liverpool when his contract expires and he is set to sign for Spanish giants Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Liverpool boss Slot admitted it was “difficult” for Alexander-Arnold but says it will not be a detraction for their title celebrations and he will pick him in the final Premier League matches with Brighton and Crystal Palace.
Slot said: “I don’t think there’s any possibility whatever can happen that can take the edge of us winning this 20th league title. The thing I consider is I want to win a game of football and if we think we can win with Trent, I owe it to his team-mates and to the fans, because they (Liverpool) hired me to win as many games of football as possible.
“And if I think there’s a better chance of winning with Trent, then I will (pick him). If I think it’s a distraction or whatever can happen for us not to play a good game of football, then I might, might, might make another decision.
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“But I think Trent showed today why I brought him in because he was very close with a few fantastic crosses for us to win the game.”
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, who saw Mikel Merino get the sixth red card of Arsenal’s Premier League season, was furious at his team’s first half display and claimed the second half fight back almost made it worse. “If we want to really win it, the consistency level has to be for 95 minutes. I don’t like to talk about the players that are not here and the excuses. I am disappointed,” said Arteta who was asked whether the fight back or result was a message for next season.
“For sure, don’t play six times in the season with 10 men – because if that happens, we won’t win it next season, for sure. And [we need to] learn, a lot of learning.”
Arteta will now be without Merino for next week’s home game with Newcastle and he was also downbeat on Declan Rice ’s chances of being fit. Arteta added: “I think he is struggling, it does not look good.”
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