Jurgen Klopp Praises Trent Alexander-Arnold's Performance

Trent Alexander-Arnold, took Liverpool to arrest Manchester City 1-1. (photo: x @lfc)

JAKARTA - Jurgen Klopp praised Trent Alexander-Arnold's appearance as a "very influential" player after the right-back secured a 1-1 draw for Liverpool from Manchester City, Saturday, November 25.

The England international scored a beautiful equalizer as the Reds detained the 1-1 champion in a tight match at the Etihad Stadium last Saturday.

Erling Haaland has put City ahead with his 50th Premier League goal of only 48 appearances to a new record in the Premier League. But Alexander-Arnold, after going through several difficult moments against aggressive Jeremy Doku, was able to change the position 10 minutes before the game ended.

After stepping into midfield, the 25-year-old took a touch and fired a shot into the bottom corner from outside the area to break City and allow Arsenal, thanks to their win at Brentford, to take the top spot.

It was a strong reminder of Alexander-Arnold's talent after the international break where there was much debate over how he could be deployed in the most effective player by England manager Gareth Southgate.

Trent is very influential. Not only in goals - around goals, in all situations he is a very important player. He plays a very good game. We changed it, with his position. We made it clearer where he should be at these times," Klopp said.

"He did very well and still has a moment with Doku where he is very strong in one-on-one situations. You can see in many moments how difficult it is to fight him, he is a very good drainage. Trent is quite influential in a good way," Klopp explained.

Alexander-Arnold's equalizer goal not only eliminates Haaland's flagship - the previous fastest player to reach half a century is Andy Cole in 65 matches - but also denies City sharing other records.

Pep Guardiola's squad has won their previous 23 home games in all competitions since they drew against Everton last December. But they failed to match Sunderland's record for the England top team made between 1890 and 1892.

City, however, are the most dominant team, gathering 16 attempts into the net compared to eight Liverpool attempts. City also felt aggrieved when Ruben Dias' goal was ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who was in the afternoon.

Alisson himself has also been guilty of City's opener, making many other mistakes in the game and suffering a hamstring injury at the end of the game.

"I think we want more. We feel fine, we feel solid. We didn't create too many chances but I think we controlled more games than we did against Chelsea, who went up and down," City defender Nathan Ake said after the game.

We tried to create a few chances. Just before their goal, we created a very good chance. We know they have quality where they can suddenly score without anything score but, in the end, it's frustrating that one shot over long distances goes in and you are able to change the game," added Ake.