Paul Scholes moots rift between Arne Slot and Liverpool ace after what happened v Man United
Paul Scholes has questioned whether Arne Slot likes Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool after what he saw in the 3-0 win against Manchester United.
The Reds dominated the match at Old Trafford on 1 September, with Alexander-Arnold going agonisingly close to opening the scoring with a strike that was ruled out for offside on Mohamed Salah.
He left the pitch smiling on the day, but Scholes has questioned the relationship between the manager and vice-captain after broadcast footage emerged of Slot looking displeased with Alexander-Arnold’s decision-making.
“Do you think Slot likes him?” Scholes asked co-host Jamie Carragher on The Overlap [12 September].
“I was watching the game. Every time he gave the ball away, he’s shaking his head Slot. He kept looking away and turning round to his bench.
“I was down there. Every time when he was trying his long balls that he can do brilliantly, [Slot] kept shaking his head and turning round and I thought, ‘I’m not sure he likes him’.”
Liverpool have big issues with Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool do have a big issue regarding Alexander-Arnold but it has nothing to do with his relationship with the new manager.
The 25-year-old is in the final year of his Anfield contract and will be able to negotiate a free transfer abroad in January, with Real Madrid rumoured to be sniffing around [Anfield Watch, 10 September].
With Virgil van Dijk and Salah also running down their contracts, Richard Hughes has a monumental task ahead of him to tie down the future of the Reds’ three biggest stars.
CEO of football Michael Edwards is known for his stance on offering big-money contracts to players once they reach 30.
Alexander-Arnold fits the bill, with his performances over the years have justifying a lucrative deal, so it begs the question as to why Liverpool have allowed themselves to be in this situation.
Slot has been fortunate to inherit a strong squad from Jurgen Klopp and could be facing the possibility of losing three of the best players in the world for nothing come next year if the club do not buck up their ideas and kickstart the contractual negotiations.
Liverpool are a club that keeps their cards very close to their chest, so it’s a possibility that all three are in the stages of extending their deals but until that news is confirmed, supporters will be sweating on the future of their squad.
Alexander-Arnold is a player Slot will be blessed to have. All the media attention regarding the two is blown out of proportion.
If the Reds keep track on this upward trajectory under the new boss then it will surely be a matter of time before the Scouser pens a long-term deal at his boyhood club.
In other Liverpool news, Caoimhin Kelleher shares his Anfield exit admission with his future uncertain.
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