Trent Alexander-Arnold is losing control of the narrative, writes LEWIS STEELE... the Scouser needs to remind Liverpool fans of his love for the club or do his talking on the pitch
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All of a sudden, that £20million fee that Real Madrid are said to be willing to pay for Trent Alexander-Arnold this month looks a bit steep. Of course, the tongue is firmly in cheek with that comment. But his performance on Sunday made it harder to grumble with the theory that the Spanish champions’ charm offensive has planted a seed of doubt or distraction in Alexander-Arnold’s mind.
![[Both of United's goals came from attacks down the left, with Alexander-Arnold struggling]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/05/23/93764473-14252897-image-a-20_1736118650904.jpg)
Roy Keane joked on Sky Sports: ‘Trent's defending is like schoolboy stuff… talking about going to Real Madrid, he'll go to Tranmere Rovers after this’. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher added later: ‘Awful, he's not at the races. He may need to come off.’.
![[Liverpool boss Arne Slot insisted that the 26-year-old was not distracted by the news of Real Madrid's £20million bid this week, with his contract at Anfield up at the end of the campaign]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/05/22/93763815-14252897-image-a-18_1736117143859.jpg)
Those jibes came either side of plenty of episodes of frustration from around Anfield. Fans in the Kop told of supporters getting on Alexander-Arnold’s back with every loose pass, while one to the right of the press box was heard shouting: ‘If you don’t want to be here, f*** off’.
![[Gary Neville (right) suggested that Alexander-Arnold may feel disrespected in this country]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/05/22/93763831-14252897-image-a-19_1736117209794.jpg)
Verbally abusing your own players in such a way is too far but, though that particular gentleman in the Main Stand was in the minority, grumbles could be heard across the stadium all afternoon. ‘Get him off,’ was another heard several times, directed at the dugout.
Frustration was not limited to the stands, either, as captain Virgil van Dijk was seen screaming at Alexander-Arnold on more than one occasion. To be fair, the Dutchman was moaning at everyone – Liverpool’s performance across the board took a dip on this season’s standards.
