New Delhi: Manchester United managed a spirited 2-2 draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool, with Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot drawing praise for their roles in unsettling Trent Alexander-Arnold. Liverpool manager Arne Slot rejected claims that the right-back’s struggles stemmed from ongoing Real Madrid transfer links.
Alexander-Arnold, usually a reliable figure, endured a tough evening at Anfield. He failed to win a single duel before being replaced in the 86th minute by Conor Bradley, who brought defensive stability. Slot attributed these struggles to the brilliance of Fernandes and Dalot rather than distractions from transfer speculation.
He told Sky Sports that United’s Portuguese duo exploited gaps, with Dalot’s overlapping runs and Fernandes’s creativity creating problems on Liverpool’s right flank.
Slot emphasised Alexander-Arnold’s importance to the team despite the off-day. While United capitalised on Liverpool’s tactical vulnerabilities, Slot dismissed speculation that the defender’s focus was affected by rumours of a potential move to Real Madrid.
Transfer buzz continues around Trent Alexander-Arnold
🚨 Arne Slot on Trent: “It’s more difficult to play against Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot than the rumours [about Real Madrid] this week”. pic.twitter.com/OBztLKc8md
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 5, 2025
The English right-back has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, with his contract at Liverpool expiring in 2025. Reports suggest the Spanish giants are monitoring his situation closely, possibly eyeing a pre-contract agreement.
Real Madrid have struggled to find a proper replacement for Dani Carvajal throughout the season. The Spanish right-back suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) back in October.
With the Spaniard getting older, reports have suggested that the Los Blancos are actively looking for a solution at the right-back position. Trent Alexander-Arnold is seemingly the option Florentino Perez prefers.
However, Slot stood firm in his defence, stressing that transfer speculation had no role in the draw. Instead, he credited Manchester United’s quality in attack, reaffirming Alexander-Arnold’s value to Liverpool’s plans.
For Manchester United, the draw highlighted their resilience against the league leaders. For Liverpool, it served as a reminder that even their best players can struggle when facing world-class opponents.
Arne Slot dismissed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Real Madrid links as the reason for the English right-back’s poor outing against Manchester United, rather praised Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot for the ir exemplary performances. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
