Roy Keane didn't hold back on Trent Alexander-Arnold's defending 😳 pic.twitter.com/6z2xOfDGzP
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 5, 2025
"I don't think the game could've gone much worse for him…"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Daniel Sturridge and @Carra23 talk about Trent Alexander-Arnold and the rumours surrounding his future at Liverpool 😮 pic.twitter.com/KrPhPV6kLE
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been in the headlines this week as Real Madrid made an audacious bid to take him to the Bernabeu in January.
Liverpool rejected the move out of hand as speculation continues to surround the England defender about an end-of-season free transfer to La Liga.
Head coach Arne Slot was at pains to insist Alexander-Arnold has not been affected by the talk, but his cause was not helped by his hapless display against United.
The visitors preyed on Alexander-Arnold’s defensive weakness throughout, launching regular raids down Liverpool’s right flank, while his usual strong point of passing was also horribly wayward.
It was a poor pass by Alexander-Arnold that led to Martinez’s opener while Diallo’s equaliser originated on his flank.
Alexander-Arnold was shown a yellow card three minutes after Diallo’s goal and it was almost a merciful release when he was replaced by Conor Bradley shortly after.
Liverpool were never at their best against this hugely improved United and were grateful for Maguire’s late miss that spared them only their second league loss this season.
Slot’s team are still in a commanding position, six points clear at the top with a game in hand on Arsenal, but this was not a Liverpool at their barnstorming best.
Roy Keane mocked the idea of Trent Alexander-Arnold signing for Real Madrid, suggesting his level of defending is more suited for Tranmere Rovers.
The Manchester United legend was not at all impressed with the England international during Liverpool’s clash with the Red Devils on Sunday afternoon.
The 26-year-old was struggling to contain the threat of Manchester United down their left wing, with Diogo Dalot causing serious problems for him from wing-back.
At half-time the game was still goalless but the visiting team had created good chances at Anfield and Keane pointed the finger at Alexander-Arnold for allowing the opportunities for the likes of Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund.
‘They’ve had opportunities particular down Liverpool’s right,’ Keane said on Sky Sports. ‘Trent, defensively, has been all over the place.
‘It’s too easy those chances for United. Just a couple of balls over the top. We talk about how brilliant Trent is going forward but Trent’s defending today, my goodness, it’s schoolboy stuff.
‘There’s talk about going to Real Madrid but he’s going to Tranmere Rovers after this! He’s got to do better.’
Alexander-Arnold gave the ball away in the build-up to Lisandro Martinez opening the scoring for Manchester United and the commentary team were equally scathing of the full-back.
Jamie Carragher said: ‘I said before the game I was expecting a big performance from him. He better hope Real Madrid aren’t watching this.’
Slot on Trent’s performance:
“Trent has played mostly very good games for the club. Today was not his best game… Sometimes Gravenberch was not close enough to him so it was a two-on-one situation. I would put it more on the quality of [Diogo] Dalot] and Bruno Fernandes.” pic.twitter.com/WwTaUvVlCU
— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) January 5, 2025
‘Where has this pile-on for Alexander-Arnold come from?’
Where has this pile-on for Trent [Alexander-Arnold] come from? Trent has been brilliant in a Liverpool jersey and all of a sudden, you want him out the door.
— Blimey.
On the back of that performance it’s safe to say that TAA had made his mind up about joining Real Madrid in the summer. Absolutely abysmal by him and should have been replaced at HT
— Spencer, Merseyside
— TAA needs to be rested and given time to sort his head out, Bradley needs to be given a run again, he was infinitely better than TAA today.
Arshad
— Trent played like a man who had his mind elsewhere. If he wants to go Conor Bradley can easily fill his boots
Jon
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