‘Arne Slot abandons Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of final Liverpool game’
Arne Slot looks to be playing up to the Anfield faithful ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s final game in Liverpool colours.
The Reds are set to take on Crystal Palace on the final day of the Premier League season, hoping to end the campaign on a high against the current FA Cup champions on Sunday, 25 May.
It could mark Alexander-Arnold’s 354th, and final, appearance for his boyhood club since making his debut back in 2016, with the full-back set to move to Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Speaking to Liverpool News 247 (14 May), Dan Plumley said that Liverpool will “squeeze” Real Madrid for money to allow the 26-year-old to leave before the end of his contract for the Club World Cup.
Liverpool fans turn on Trent Alexander-Arnold after exit news
The news has not gone down well with the supporters, with many choosing to whistle and jeer him during his short cameo in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal earlier this month.
Debates have continued for weeks after the player’s announcement, and ex-Reds full-back Glen Johnson, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, believes an Anfield return for Alexander-Arnold is highly unlikely.
Supporters are likely to make their feelings clear if he starts ahead of Conor Bradley, who has signed a new Liverpool deal, and as his final appearance for his boyhood club, it seems like a very real possibility against the Eagles.
While Slot will be hoping for a positive atmosphere at Anfield on Sunday, the Dutchman’s recent revelation on Alexander-Arnold has left a sour taste in the mouth for some.
Arne Slot’s strange comments ahead of final day versus Crystal Palace
Speaking in his press conference, via The Times (23 May), Slot has chosen now to reveal from pre-season: “I wasn’t completely happy with every single minute how he was on the training ground.
“In my opinion, in certain moments, he could do a bit more, to say it mildly,” only adding more fuel to the fire of supporters suggesting that the defender has acted like he wants to be anywhere else this season.
The manager also said that Alexander-Arnold spent some time in his office, clearly trying to push the player to be better, but some disgruntled fans will likely take his comments differently.
Slot will have wanted to avoid any negative energy at Anfield, especially on such a momentous occasion with lifting the Premier League trophy.
But with the title secure and any hopes of the star defender sticking around on Merseyside past the end of this season now long gone, it appears the Dutchman has decided to leave Alexander-Arnold high and dry ahead of his final outing.
While the manager might say he was only answering questions from the media, and has indicated he would like a positive reaction to the departing full-back at Anfield against Crystal Palace, his sudden decision to reveal his own negative insights from the campaign at this stage feel anything but accidental.