Arne Slot has insisted speculation over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool future did not impact his performance against Manchester United.
The right-back endured a difficult afternoon in today’s 2-2 draw at Anfield. That came after Real Madrid ramped up their interest in Alexander-Arnold, who is out of contract at the end of the season and now able to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs.
Last week, Liverpool rebuffed an approach from the Spanish giants to sign him in January. Slot said:
???? “I don’t believe in those things. Nine out of 10 people will say it (the transfer speculation) affected him but I’m one of the 10 that tells you it didn’t affect him.
“What affected him is he had to play against Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot — two starters for Portugal who are great players.
“We have a fantastic player here in Diogo Jota and he’s mostly not playing for Portugal, so that tells you how much quality United have.
“If these players set themselves to a game, that is what United do once in a while, it is very difficult to play against them.
“It is more difficult for Trent to play against Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot than it is the rumours in the week. Probably everyone is going to tell you it had to do with the rumours but my opinion is different.”
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Trent Alexander-Arnold not affected by Real Madrid speculation, says Liverpool coach Arne Slot
