Trent Alexander-Arnold: Liverpool's ability to 'dig deep' on show again against Everton

Right-back says team's resolve to keep going until the final whistle has helped them pull off results against PSG, Chelsea and most recently Everton

Trent Alexander-Arnold says Liverpool's ability to dig deep to eke out a win was evident in their last-minute win over Everton on Sunday. Reuters

If the league table famously does not lie, it can nonetheless have a distorting effect. Manchester City won the title by an English record 19 points last season, but that nevertheless owed much to some crucial late goals, especially in the first half of the season. Not every game was won by emphatic margins.

This season, there is the same sense that destinies can be determined by late drama. Riyad Mahrez's penalty miss at Anfield, enabling Liverpool to draw 0-0, could be a case in point. So, too, Divock Origi's 96th-minute winner in Sunday's Merseyside derby. A four-point deficit at the top of the table became a mere two. Liverpool remain on City's heels.

“Everybody probably thought we’d settled for the draw but we’ve shown this season that we dig deep many a time and come up with the goods late on,” said Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose long ball forward led indirectly to Origi’s goal.

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Read more from Richard Jolly:

Liverpool settle Merseyside derby with bizarre late Divock Origi goal

Raheem Sterling continues to bully Bournemouth as Manchester City collect win

Arsenal's success as second-half specialists down to Unai Emery's quick thinking

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“It’s massive for us. We’ve shown with PSG at home and then Chelsea away and now Everton – three times this season– that something that we’re doing is staying in games and then producing in the last minutes.”

Roberto Firmino got the injury-time decider against Paris Saint-Germain as a replacement. The substitute Daniel Sturridge struck an equaliser at Stamford Bridge. The fact that each came off the bench to make a difference suggests Liverpool have more strength in depth. A record showing they have conceded only five times in 14 league games gives them the platform to deliver telling goals.

“Keeping a clean sheet gives us the foundation to go and do these things,” said the right-back. “If we’re 1-0 down and score in the last minute it’s only 1-1.” If the importance of Origi’s goal was reflected in Jurgen Klopp’s dash to the centre circle to celebrate with a surprised Alisson, the meaning of it was clear to Alexander-Arnold, a local facing Everton for the first time.

Premier League team of the week:

Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool) – A brilliant save from Andre Gomes helped extend Liverpool’s remarkable defensive record and frustrate Everton at Anfield again. Reuters

Right-back: Aaron-Wan Bissaka (Crystal Palace) – The defence provided the platform for a dominant display as Palace overwhelmed Burnley and Wan-Bissaka again showed his promise. Reuters

Centre-back: Shane Duffy (Brighton) – The Irishman is proving a real goal threat and, after the shock of conceding so early, he got the equaliser in Albion’s win at Huddersfield. Reuters

Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – While his assist for Divock Origi’s winner was a fluke, the Dutchman delivered another commanding display at the back. Reuters

Left-back: Junior Hoilett (Cardiff) – Picked in an unfamiliar wing-back role, the Canada international responded with a spectacular winner against Wolves on Friday night. Reuters

Right midfield: Felipe Anderson (West Ham) – The Brazilian tormented Newcastle with an illustration of his talent to show why West Ham made him their record buy. Getty Images

Centre midfield: Lucas Torreira (Arsenal) – The tenacious Uruguayan was the best player on the pitch in the North London derby even before he scored a late goal to sink Spurs. Getty Images

Centre midfield: James Maddison (Leicester) – Sent off in shame for diving one week, the summer signing made the right impression on his return with a glorious goal. AP Photo

Left midfield: Leroy Sane (Manchester City) – Others got the goals, but Sane was scintillating as City maintained their 100 percent home record against Bournemouth. Getty Images

Centre forward: Javier Hernandez (West Ham) – The Mexican may have been a surprise selection at St James’ Park but justified his selection with two goals. He could have scored more. Getty Images

Centre forward: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) – The top scorer in the Premier League after scoring twice against Tottenham, Aubameyang also got an assist. AP Photo

“Emotions get the best of you, especially in games like this,” he said. “To do it that way was amazing. It’s something you dream of. It’s very special to play in the Merseyside derby and especially win. It’s one that all the players will remember for a long time.”

Origi, in particular. The Belgian, who was loaned out to Wolfsburg last season, had gone 19 months without a Liverpool goal and had spurned a glorious chance three minutes after his introduction. “He probably hasn’t played as much as he’s wanted to,” said Alexander-Arnold. “After the miss it’s easy to put your head down and settle for a point. But it’s a credit to his character and his mentality to be in the right position.”

Origi gave an insight into his thinking. “I think was like a trap for a striker when you miss a chance and you keep dwelling on it,” he said. “For me, my reaction was: ‘Focus, chill, play my game.’”

Liverpool’s next one is at Burnley on Wednesday and, as they are proving, games are not over until the final whistle is blown.