Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has insisted he was trying to ‘take care’ of Trent Alexander-Arnold by substituting him during Sunday’s 2-0 win against Brentford.
The Reds were victorious in Slot’s first competitive home game since succeeding Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield dugout. Goals in either half from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah saw Liverpool claim all three points.
Alexander-Arnold was hooked after 72 minutes and replaced by Conor Bradley, but as the 25-year-old made his way to the bench, he cut an unhappy figure and had to be talked to by Slot once he got back to his seat.
In his post-match press conference, Slot was asked about withdrawing Alexander-Arnold and why he was upset with his boss’ decision.
“He didn’t look that happy after being taken off, you mean? I understand,” Slot began.
“Every player wants to play 90 minutes but I don’t think the players that were on the bench from the start were really happy with the choices I made.
“But Trent came back from the national team where at the beginning of the tournament he played quite a lot, then he didn’t, had a few weeks off, came back, it’s only his third game and we have to take care of him as well because we need him for the whole season and not only the first two games.
“The good thing for me is that I have a very good back-up as well with Conor, so that means we are taking care of Trent. But he played a good game, that’s also what I saw.”
Alexander-Arnold has only a year left to run on his Liverpool contract and has been heavily linked with a free transfer to Real Madrid next summer.
Liverpool and Alexander-Arnold return to action next Sunday with a trip to rivals Manchester United.
What we know
- Liverpool beat Brentford 2-0 on Sunday
- Trent Alexander-Arnold left frustrated after being substituted in second half
- Arne Slot discussed tactical change and why he empathised with right-back.