Manchester United's Quality Affects Alexander-Arnold's Performance

Trent Alexander-Arnold did not perform optimally when Liverpool hosted Manchester United (Instagram/@liverpoolfc).

JAKARTA - Liverpool manager Arne Slot disagreed with the idea that Trent Alexander-Arnold's less excited appearance at home to Manchester United came as a result of speculation linking the full-back to a move to Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold, along with team-mates Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, will expire on his contract at the end of this season.

He is Real Madrid's main defense target following a long-term injury suffered by right-back Dani Carvajal.

The Spanish club approached Liverpool to recruit the 26-year-old in the January 2025 transfer window earlier this week.

However, Los Blancos' offer was quickly rejected by the Premier League leader.

Slot insists ahead of Sunday's match against Manchester United that Alexander-Arnold remains fully committed to Liverpool.

However, the defender had a hard time fighting the Red Devils who looked excited at Anfield, with both of the visitors' two goals coming from their wings.

The Liverpool manager, however, quickly dismissed claims that Alexander-Arnold had let the noise surrounding his future affect his performance.

He said that the quality of Manchester United made it difficult for the right-back to show his best performance.

"I don't believe in those (groups moving from Liverpool). I think nine out of 10 people will tell you that it affects them."

"However, I'm one of 10 people telling you I don't think it affects him," Slot told a news conference after the game.

The Dutch coach further emphasized that the presence of Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot on the side guarded by Alexander-Arnold was not optimal in the right-back factor.

"What I think affects him is that he has to guard Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot who are two core players for Portugal, a great player."

"We have a fantastic player here, Diogo Jota, who also plays for Portugal. So, it tells you how much quality Manchester United has."

"If these players force themselves to play, that's what Manchester United sometimes does, it will be very difficult to play against them."

"I think it's more difficult for Trent to play against Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot than rumors have been circulating this week."

"That's my opinion, but everyone will probably tell you that it has something to do with rumors," said Arne Slot.

According to Arne Slot, such a moment is not new. Every player must experience maximum difficulties in a match.

However, he again emphasized that this happened because Alexander-Arnold faced the players of the Red Devils who had quality, not because they were psychologically disturbed due to transfer rumors.

"Obviously Trent had some tough moments like what we experienced as a team, but it's also not the first time for Trent."

"I think in most of the games he played for this club, he was very, very good."

"I don't believe if people say he's never played badly for this club."

"So, that may have happened before and most of them are against quality players like Manchester United," said Arne Slot again.

Alexander-Arnold did not appear full when Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw at Anfield at Sunday, January 5, 2025. He was replaced by Conor Bradley in the 86th minute.

Meanwhile, in the match against the Red Devils, Liverpool almost lost. Fortunately, Harry Maguire's golden opportunity in the second half injury time failed to be put to good use.

However, Arne Slot assessed that overall against Manchester United was indeed difficult, where Ruben Amorim's team implemented a low defensive line.

"Of course, for us it feels like we're losing two points. I think for a lot of people, what comes over their heads is what happens at the end of the game and it's a great opportunity for (Harry) Maguire."

"However, I think what people forget is that two minutes before the game is over Virgil may have equal chance of changing the position to 3-2."

"In the end, it was a tough game, maybe a little like against Nottingham Forest where the two teams' style of play is to defend with a low block and a lot of players."

"It's not always easy to play against a football style like that," said the Dutchman.

A draw against Manchester United put Liverpool six points ahead at the top of the Premier League table, with one game more.

Arsenal, who are in second place, also won the draw against Brighton in the 20th week.