Liverpool Boss Defends Alexander-Arnold After Draw

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has defended Trent Alexander-Arnold following the defender's performance in their 2-2 draw with Manchester United. The result left the Reds feeling like they had "dropped two points" in the Premier League title race.

Pundits heavily criticized Alexander-Arnold after the match, with former Manchester United captain Roy Keane particularly scathing in his assessment. Keane claimed that Alexander-Arnold's defending was "like schoolboy stuff" and that he should be playing for Tranmere Rovers instead of Real Madrid.

Slot, however, believes that Alexander-Arnold's performance was not affected by the transfer rumors surrounding him. He attributed the defender's struggles to the quality of Manchester United's players, particularly Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot.

"I don't believe in those things," Slot said. "I think nine out of 10 people will tell you that it affected him, but I'm one of the 10 that tells you that I don't think that affected him. What affected him is that he had to play Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, two starters for Portugal, great, great, great players."

Slot also pointed to the quality of Manchester United's squad, highlighting the fact that Diogo Jota, a "fantastic player," doesn't even play for Portugal.

Despite the draw, Liverpool remain top of the Premier League table with 46 points, six ahead of second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand. Slot compared the draw to their 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest earlier in the season, their only defeat this campaign.

"Of course, it feels for us as two points dropped," Slot said. "It was a difficult game, bit similar to maybe the Nottingham Forest game, where playing style of both teams were quite similar. Defending in the low block with a lot of bodies, and if they had the ball, not to risk to build up, but play it long."

"That is not always easy to play against that style of football, and that's what showed against Forest, and it showed again today as well.