Arne Slot hits out at 'ridiculous' Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer theories after Liverpool goal

Slot and Alexander-Arnold

Arne Slot believes it is “ridiculous” anyone could question Trent Alexander-Arnold’s commitment to Liverpool this season after the right-back shot the Reds to the brink of the Premier League title.

Alexander-Arnold marked his return to action by stepping off the bench to score in the 76th minute and earn Slot’s side a 1-0 win at Leicester City on Sunday afternoon.

The victory means the Reds remain 13 points clear at the summit and need only three more points from their final five games to be crowned champions.

While Virgil van Dijk on Thursday followed Mohamed Salah in signing a new contract, Alexander-Arnold has yet to agree a deal

When asked about the right-back’s future, Slot said: “The headline today should be the goal he scored and not about his contract.

Slot

“But what I can say is it would be ridiculous if someone argues his commitment for this club.

“The work-rate he put in to be back today and make such an important goal, and all the work he has done for this club in all the years he has been here, nobody in my opinion can argue his commitment to this club.”

“The headlines should be his great goal and not his contract situation.”

Trent netted at the King Power Stadium just five minutes after being introduced.

Slot said:

“I don’t think I deserve any credit for that, because if you have Trent on the bench knowing that Conor (Bradley) can’t play 90, I think every manager in the world would have brought Trent on.”

“No credit for me, but definitely for Trent, because he worked so hard for five-and-a-half weeks and for the medical staff who worked so hard to get him back into the squad as soon as we could.

“And that is why we could use him for 15 minutes and I think I had to use him for 27 in the end because of the added time.”

Alexander-Arnold’s goal sparked wild celebrations among the Liverpool players and supporters

Slot said

“I don’t think it only meant a lot for him, it meant a lot for everyone who loves Liverpool,”

“It’s a big moment and big players like to have big moments in their career.

“Virgil had one last week (against West Ham), Mo has had them many times this season already.

“Players of the quality of Trent, you know these players step up when you most need it.

“He did that when he came in against Newcastle (in December), he did that in the second half against PSG when I was waiting for him to score a goal but he went off with an injury.

“Now he is back and he has had his moment. All nice but still one (win) to go.”