Liverpool coach Arne Slot speaks out after awkward Alexander-Arnold exchange

Trent Alexander-Arnold cut a frustrated figure on Sunday afternoon following his substitution by Liverpool head coach Arne Slot in the 2-0 Premier League win against Brentford. 

Alexander-Arnold, 25, lasted 72 minutes before being replaced by Conor Bradley at Anfield with the England international being later spotted muttering to himself on the bench after Slot had a word in his ear.

It did not appear that Trent was happy with his substitution, a frustration that his new boss understands. 

Read more: Dutch midfielder now tops Arne Slot wish list

The Dutchman claimed that he wants to ensure Alexander-Arnold remains fit for the long season ahead with the Reds returning to the Champions League after a campaign away. 

"I understand. Every player wants to play 90 minutes but I don't think the players who were on the bench from the start were really happy with the choice I made.   

"Trent came back from national team where at the beginning of the tournament (European Championships with England) he played quite a lot and then he didn't. He had a few weeks off and then came back. 

"It's only his third game and we have to take care of him as well because we need him for the whole season and not only the first two games. What a good thing for me is that I have a very good backup with Conor (Bradley) as well. We are taking care of Trent, but he played a good game."

Alexander-Arnold shifted to right-back under Arne Slot

Slot has resisted the temptation to use Alexander-Arnold in an orthodox midfield role, which he played for England at the European Championship in the opening two group stage matches. 

Clarifying the homegrown hero’s role in his team, Slot appeared to confirm that the Trent in midfield experiment instigated by Jurgen Klopp last season is already at an end. 

"I think Trent has many, many qualities. One is his crossing from the side,” the head coach said. 

"So if we play him in the midfield he can only pass the ball, which he can still do quite well, but I also want him in dangerous positions in and around the goal. 

“And in crossing positions so he has a lot of freedom to position himself and the rest have to react to it.

“It depends how the opposition lines up and how we think we can get the best out of him.

“We try and influence them as much as we can before the game, me and my staff. We try and see where he can be the free player. He can pass the ball as a six, he can cross the ball as a winger, he can also cross it from the inside and get shots on target. So he’s a difficult one to play against Trent.”

Alexander-Arnold posted on social media following the game, which ensured a perfect start to the season with the Merseysiders claiming six points from their first two matches of the league programme. 

“First win at home,” he wrote on Instagram. “Fans were incredible as always.”

Alexander-Arnold contract expiring in 2025

New sporting director Richard Hughes has got plenty on his plate with Alexander-Arnold’s contract situation, along with those of captain Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. 

Those three are out of contract in 2025 with no breakthrough yet achieved over new terms. The trio will be free to talk to overseas teams in January about a free transfer next summer, something Hughes and the Anfield hierarchy will be keen to avoid.