Trent Alexander-Arnold 'not affected by Real Madrid rumours', says Liverpool boss Arne Slot

Liverpool defender struggled in 2-2 draw against Manchester United amid reports Spanish giants have made an approach

Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool was at fault for the first of Manchester United's two goals at Anfield. Getty Images

Liverpool manager Arne Slot played down suggestions that Trent Alexander-Arnold's performance against Manchester United on Sunday was affected by rumours surrounding his future at Anfield.

The Liverpool right-back, having been heavily linked with Real Madrid this week, had a game to forget as United frustrated the Premier League leaders with a battling 2-2 draw.

Alexander-Arnold, now in the final six months of his contract at his boyhood club, struggled defensively and was at fault for the visitors’ first goal.

Slot does not believe the Real Madrid speculation had a big impact, but accepts other people will view the matter differently.

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  Manchester United's Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring his side's second goal in the 2-2 Premier League draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, January 5, 2025. AP

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  Manchester United's Amad Diallo shoots past Liverpool's Andrew Robertson to make it 2-2. AFP

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  Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal against Manchester United at Anfield. Reuters

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  Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scores their second goal from the penalty spot. PA

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  Manchester United's Matthijs de Ligt handles the ball to concede a penalty. Reuters

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  Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates his goal with teammates. AFP

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  Liverpool's Cody Gakpo scores their opening goal to make it 1-1. PA

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  Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez scores their first goal. EPA

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  Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal. Getty Images

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  Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo takes a tumble in the snow. PA

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  Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is held back by Manchester United's Diogo Dalot. AFP

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  Manchester United's Amad Diallo makes a mess of a header, watched by Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker. EPA

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  Manchester United keeper Andre Onana saves from Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister. PA

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  Cody Gakpo of Liverpool shoots wide under pressure from Andre Onana and Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United. Getty Images

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  Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte fouls Liverpool's Cody Gakpo. Reuters

The Dutchman said: “I think nine out of 10 people will tell you that it affected him. I’m [the] one of the 10 that tells you that I don’t think that affected him.

“What affected him is that he had to play against Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, two starters for Portugal, great, great players.

“If these players set themselves to a game – and that is what United once in a while does – then it’s very difficult to play against them.

“I think that is more difficult for Trent to play against than the rumours that were there during the week.

“But that’s my opinion, and probably everybody’s going to tell you that it had to do with the rumours.”

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold had a tough afternoon up against Manchester United's Diogo Dalot. AFP

Liverpool, who restored a six-point lead over second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand, fought back to lead with a Cody Gakpo strike and Mohamed Salah penalty after Lisandro Martinez fired United ahead.

Yet they lacked their usual control and United, showing a spirit they have conspicuously lacked of late, restored parity 10 minutes from time through Amad Diallo.

Things might even have got worse for Liverpool as Harry Maguire spurned a gilt-edged stoppage-time chance to snatch victory for United.

Slot said: “Of course it feels for us as two points dropped.

“I think for many people what stays in their head is what happens in the end and that was a big chance for Maguire, of course.

“But what you then might tend to forget is that two minutes before, Virgil [van Dijk] had just as big a chance to make it 3-2 for us.

“In the end, it was a difficult game. It is not always easy to play against that style of football, especially if they have such good quality players.”

Harry Maguire spurns a gilt-edged chance over the bar against Liverpool. Getty Images

United’s performance arrested their run of three successive defeats and captain Fernandes voiced his frustration the side could not produce such intensity consistently.

The Portuguese told Sky Sports: “I’m pretty upset because if we show this today at Anfield against Liverpool, who are first in the league and probably the outstanding team in the Premier League this season, why can’t we do this every week?”

United manager Ruben Amorim was pleased with the response of his players after strong criticism following Monday’s loss to Newcastle.

He said: “I want to see my team play so much better but I think the most important thing here is the mentality. That is the key for everything.

“Today we were a different team, not because of the system, not because of the technical aspects or tactical aspects of the game [but because] we faced the competition in the way that we’re supposed to face every day, training and match.

“It doesn’t matter the place, the opponent. We need to face every day like that.”