Arne Slot brought off Trent Alexander-Arnold as part of a triple substitution shortly after Mo Salahhad scored Liverpool’s second goal in their 2-0 win
Trent Alexander-Arnold cut an unhappy figure as he and Arne Slot were involved in a tense exchange in the Anfield dugout shortly after the Liverpool vice-captain was substituted against Brentford.
Slot brought off Alexander-Arnold as part of a triple substitution shortly after Mo Salah had scored Liverpool’s second goal in their 2-0 win, replacing him with Conor Bradley.
Alexander-Arnold could later be seen slumped in his chair in the dugout, with Slot seemingly annoyed with his reaction.
The England star, who is in the final year of his contract at Anfield, later appeared non-plussed as he wandered back onto the pitch at full-time, despite efforts to gee him up from Diogo Jota.
Alexander Arnold was also replaced by Bradley in Liverpool’s opening game of the Premier League season, the 2-0 win at Ipswich last Saturday.
When asked about the incident after the match, Slot said: “I understand every player wants to play 90 minutes. But the players on the bench from the start were also not really happy with my choices. We have to take care of him because we need him for the whole season.”
Discussing Alexander-Arnold’s role in his side he added: “He has many, many qualities. One of them is crosses from the side, so we can play him in midfield, but I also want him in dangerous positions in and around the goal and in crossing positions.
“He has a lot of freedom to position himself and the rest have to react to it, but it also depends how the opposition lines up and where we can get the best out of him.”
He has the qualities to play the ball as a 6, he can cross the ball as a right winger and he can also come inside to cross and get shots on target, so he’s a difficult one to play against!”
Luis Diaz opened the scoring for Liverpool in the first half before supplying the pass for Salah for the second.
“It was a very nice move [for the first goal],” said the Colombian. “I always try to help the team in the best way I can.
“We always say to score, for us the numbers are important because we are forwards. We live for goals, so I am very happy. I am happy for the team, we did a good job which is the important thing. Now we try and rest up for what’s to come.”
