Slot: Alexander-Arnold not affected by Real Madrid rumors
Liverpool boss Arne Slot disagreed with the idea that Trent Alexander-Arnold is affected by the Real Madrid rumors.
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Alexander-Arnold unaffected by Real Madrid rumors
The England international had a lacklustre display in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold, alongside teammates Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, is out of contract at the end of the season.
Multiple media outlets reported that Alexander-Arnold is Madrid’s top defensive target following a long-term injury to right-back Dani Carvajal.
The Spanish club approached Liverpool earlier this week about signing the 26-year-old during the January window.
However, the Premier League leaders swiftly rejected Madrid’s advances.
The defender struggled, with both United’s goals coming from his side.
Slot quickly dismissed claims that Alexander-Arnold was affected by speculation about his future.
“I don’t believe in those things,” Slot said in his post-match news conference. “I think nine out of 10 people will tell you that it affected him, but I’m one of the 10 that tells you I don’t think that affected him.”
“What I think affected him was that he had to play Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot who are two starters for Portugal, great, great players. We have a fantastic player here in Diogo Jota and he’s not even playing for Portugal, so that tells you how much quality United have. And 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 it is more difficult for Trent to play against Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot than it is the rumours that were there in the week. That’s my opinion, but everyone will probably tell you it’s to do with the rumours.”
“It was a difficult game”
Sunday’s draw means Liverpool go six points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
However, Slot feels his squad dropped two points and views it as a tough game.
“Of course, it feels for us like two points dropped. I think for many people what stays in their head is what happens at the end and that was a big chance for [Harry] Maguire, but I think what people forget is that two minutes before Virgil has maybe just as big a chance to make it 3-2.
“In the end, it was a difficult game — a bit similar maybe to the Nottingham Forest game where the playing style of both teams is about defending in a low block with a lot of bodies. That is not always easy to play against that style of football.”
