JAKARTA - Liverpool started 2025 with a 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Anfield.

However, the game was a bad day for Trent Alexander-Arnold. After the match, he was flooded with criticism, both from supporters and the pundits.

The 26-year-old right-back is considered to have performed very badly and was the culprit for Manchester United's two goals.

Many think that the minor performance is the aftermath of the unsolvable negotiations on contract extensions with Liverpool as well as the emergence of official offers from Real Madrid.

However, the Reds rejected Los Blancos' offer, making Alexander-Arnold still confused about his future.

However, Liverpool Manager, Arne Slot, defended his team.

"Maybe it's true, but is it a big difference? Not at all. That could also mean we attacked a lot from the right and they counterattacked."

"What we have to see is how we concede. It's not just about our right side."

"If they attack from the right side, they still have to move into the middle of the goal. So, those in the middle also have to defend."

"I saw a pattern in our concedure, but it's not about Trent if that's what you mean? Not at all."

"Trent has had a tough game for us and maybe some are pretty good, especially he has had a great game this season," Arne Slot said of the game against Manchester United.

Alexander-Arnold was then rested as a starter in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal defeat against Tottenham Hotspur 0-1.

He was only added in the 60th minute. Arne Slot saw that his right-back's confidence had started to grow again after being bombarded with criticism.

In fact, fans' reactions have started to get positive seeing Alexander-Arnold's slick 30-minute appearance.

"I know there is a lot of focus on him right now. I also want to highlight how well he played when he came in in the last half-hour (against Tottenham) and how our fans reacted. That's what makes me happier," said Arne Slot.

Alexander-Arnold has improved. The proof, he got a place again as a starter in the FA Cup Third Round against Accrington Stanley.

Not only that, the 26-year-old defender contributed to Liverpool's second goal in a 4-0 victory on Saturday, January 11, 2025.

The public hopes that Alexander-Arnold's return to his slick performance will continue when the Reds travel to Nottingham Forest headquarters on January 15, 2025, early morning WIB, in the Premier League.


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