Liverpool face unwanted distraction as X-rated Trent Alexander-Arnold dig speaks volumes
Liverpool face unwanted distraction as X-rated Trent Alexander-Arnold dig speaks volumes
Share:
They have made so few slip-ups this season that it made this one feel even bigger. And suddenly it feels like it has all become about Trent Alexander-Arnold and the distraction Liverpool’s title charge did not need. Liverpool have been virtually unstoppable this season but Manchester United found a new resolve and determination to seize on a rare feeling of uncertainty at Anfield.
It felt like after both United goals and each chance Liverpool conceded, the TV cameras panned on Alexander-Arnold because the England full-back had made another mistake. After a week of stories about Real Madrid’s pursuit of Alexander-Arnold, it looked as if the Liverpool defender was already thinking about life at the Bernabeu.
Liverpool have been adamant they will not let Alexander-Arnold go before his contract expires at the end of the season and have already rejected one approach from Real Madrid. But after United’s first goal, one fan shouted at him: “If you don’t want to be here, just f*** off.”.
Some players use uncertainty as a motivational force. It looked to be weighing Alexander-Arnold down. Mo Salah is playing out of his skin while chasing a new contract and Virgil van Dijk looked as assured as ever despite his deal also running out this summer.
It still looks unlikely that any of Liverpool’s title challengers will be good enough to catch them but this, for once, gave the others at least a glimmer of hope. United turned up after the first full week of training under Ruben Amorim’s reign and you could see the visitors were much better, well drilled and they thoroughly deserved their point. They could have snatched all three.
