Arne Slot conceded folks will suppose Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s efficiency was affected by rumours surrounding his future in title-chasing Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United.
The Liverpool right-back, having been closely linked with Actual Madrid this week, had a sport to neglect as United pissed off the Premier League leaders with a battling show at Anfield on Sunday.
Alexander-Arnold, now within the remaining six months of his contract at his boyhood membership, struggled to impose himself and was at fault for the guests’ first objective.
Reds supervisor Slot doesn’t imagine the hypothesis had a huge impact, however accepts different folks will view the matter in a different way.
The Dutchman mentioned: “I believe 9 out of 10 folks will inform you that it affected him. I’m [the] one of many 10 that tells you that I don’t suppose that affected him.
Liverpool 2-2 Man United
“What affected him is that he needed to play in opposition to Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, two starters for Portugal, nice, nice gamers.
“If these gamers set themselves to a sport – and that’s what United on occasion does – then it’s very troublesome to play in opposition to them.
“I believe that’s harder for Trent to play in opposition to than the rumours that had been there throughout the week.
“However that’s my opinion, and doubtless all people’s going to inform you that it needed to do with the rumours.”
Liverpool, who restored a six-point lead over second-placed Arsenal with a sport in hand, fought again to guide with a Cody Gakpo strike and Mohamed Salah penalty after Martinez fired United forward.
But they lacked their normal management and United, displaying a spirit they’ve conspicuously lacked of late, restored parity 10 minutes from time via Amad Diallo.
Issues would possibly even have gotten worse for Liverpool as Harry Maguire spurned a gilt-edged stoppage time probability to grab victory for United.
Slot mentioned: “After all it feels for us as two factors dropped.
“I believe for many individuals what stays of their head is what occurs ultimately and that was a giant probability for Maguire, in fact.
“However what you then would possibly are inclined to neglect is that two minutes earlier than, Virgil had simply as massive an opportunity to make it 3-2 for us.
“Ultimately, it was a troublesome sport. It isn’t at all times straightforward to play in opposition to that type of soccer, particularly if they’ve such good high quality gamers.”
United’s efficiency arrested their run of three successive defeats and captain Bruno Fernandes voiced his frustration the facet couldn’t produce such depth persistently.
The Portuguese informed Sky Sports activities: “I’m fairly upset as a result of if we present this as we speak at Anfield in opposition to Liverpool, who’re first within the league and doubtless the excellent workforce within the Premier League this season, why can’t we do that each week?”
Supervisor Ruben Amorim was happy with the response of his gamers after sturdy criticism following Monday’s loss to Newcastle.
He mentioned: “I wish to see my workforce play so significantly better however I believe crucial factor right here is the mentality. That’s the key for the whole lot.
“As we speak we had been a distinct workforce, not due to the system, not due to the technical elements or tactical elements of the sport [but because] we confronted the competitors in the way in which that we’re purported to face on daily basis, coaching and match.
“It doesn’t matter the place, the opponent. We have to face on daily basis like that.”
