Arne Slot denies claims that Trent Alexander-Arnold's disappointing display against Man United was due to Real Madrid interest
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Arne Slot conceded people will think Trent Alexander-Arnold's performance was affected by rumours surrounding his future in title-chasing Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Manchester United. The Liverpool right-back, having been heavily linked with Real Madrid this week, had a game to forget as United frustrated the Premier League leaders with a battling display at Anfield on Sunday.
![[Arne Slot insisted that he doesn't feel Alexander-Arnold was affected by his uncertain future]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/05/21/93762051-0-image-a-70_1736112226540.jpg)
Alexander-Arnold, now in the final six months of his contract at his boyhood club, struggled to impose himself and was at fault for the visitors' first goal. Reds manager Slot does not believe the speculation had a big impact, but accepts other people will view the matter differently.
![[Slot outlined his disappointment at Liverpool dropping points in their clash with United]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/05/21/93762215-0-image-a-82_1736112711362.jpg)
The Dutchman said: 'I think nine out of 10 people will tell you that it affected him. I'm (the) one of the 10 that tells you that I don't think that affected him. 'What affected him is that he had to play against Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, two starters for Portugal, great, great players.
Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled as Liverpool drew 2-2 at home to Manchester United. Arne Slot insisted that he doesn't feel Alexander-Arnold was affected by his uncertain future. 'If these players set themselves to a game - and that is what United once in a while does - then it's very difficult to play against them.
'I think that is more difficult for Trent to play against than the rumours that were there during the week. 'But that's my opinion, and probably everybody's going to tell you that it had to do with the rumours.'. Liverpool, who restored a six-point lead over second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand, fought back to lead with a Cody Gakpo strike and Mohamed Salah penalty after Martinez fired United ahead.
