“I’m not sure if he likes him” - Paul Scholes notices Arne Slot's behaviour towards Liverpool superstar
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has noticed something off in Arne Slot's behaviour towards Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold. He observed the same when the Reds defeated their Manchester-based rivals 3-0 at Old Trafford in their last Premier League game.
Slot was appointed the manager at Anfield earlier this summer, replacing German tactician Jurgen Klopp. The German won the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and two League Cups with the Englishman, forming a key part of his team.
Speaking about a potential problem in the relationship between the new management and the full-back on the Stick To Football podcast, Scholes said via (the Daily Mail):
"Watching that Sunday game, every time he gave the ball away he [Slot] was shaking his head. He kept looking away and turning around to his bench. He was trying these long balls, which obviously he can do brilliantly. I thought, 'I'm not sure if he likes him'."
Trent Alexander Arnold has spent his whole career so far at Liverpool, making 313 appearances and providing 81 assists in the process. The 25-year-old is in the last year of his contract with his boyhood club and could depart next summer for free.
"Who do you think you are?" Liverpool legend suggests fans could turn on defender if he leaves for free
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher suggested that the club's fans could turn on Trent Alexander-Arnold if he left the club for free next summer. The defender is a Liverpool academy product but is in the final year of his deal with the club.
Carragher spent his whole career with the club between 1996 and 2013, playing 737 times for his boyhood club. He helped the club win the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, two Super Cups, two FA Cups and three League Cups.
Speaking on Stick to Football, the retired defender said (via the Daily Mail):
"I think his situation at Liverpool is really interesting. I always feel like at Liverpool and you're a local player, leaving the club is difficult. You have three players in [Mohamed] Salah, [Virgil] van DIijk and Trent. I think the reaction from Liverpool supporters, with Trent it will be different. If you go through it - [Steve] McManaman, [Steven] Gerrard, the fans completely turned."
Carragher concluded, saying:
"I think he will be treated differently and it was interesting in the first game when he came off and he looked a little bit unhappy on the bench. Even though he'd only been there for two games, it was a little bit like, 'Who do you think you are?'"
The English giants face Nottingham Forrest when they return from the international break. Notably, Trent Alexander-Arnold played all 180 minutes for the Three Lions in their two consecutive victories in the Nations League.