If coach Arne Slot criticizes Trent Alexander-Arnold in the Liverpool dressing room, it will not be because of the relationship between the two sides. In fact, it is the opposite, because the English defender has an unusual request.
Alexander-Arnold wants the coach to criticize him, sometimes in front of his teammates. It can be seen as a plan to help the right-back improve his defensive ability. Alexander-Arnold himself feels that Slot, with his attention to the smallest details, can help the players a lot.
Alexander-Arnold is one of the best finds Jurgen Klopp has left for Anfield. The German tactician once decided not to buy a right-back because he trusted the Englishman. After that, Alexander-Arnold himself reshaped Liverpool's tactics when the full-backs attacked more and drifted into midfield. Currently, the 25-year-old player is also a vice-captain of the "Red Brigade".
Notably, Slot has taken Alexander-Arnold off the field in all three of his first Premier League games this season. The 25-year-old was even unhappy when he was substituted against Brentford. In that context, concerns began to arise as Alexander-Arnold was in the final year of his contract at Anfield.
However, despite all the skepticism, Alexander-Arnold still has his own ambition: to become an excellent defender in Europe for Liverpool.
This will be a big change for the England international. After assisting Luis Diaz against Bournemouth, Alexander-Arnold has contributed to 100 goals for Liverpool - 19 goals and 81 assists. But for now, the 25-year-old's goal is to improve his defensive ability. Under Slot's guidance, the defender believes he can do just that.
"We talked about the goals and I said, I want to be the defender that no one wants to play against in Europe. We agreed that Arne Slot would be strict with me. If anytime an attacking player had passed me, he would call my name in meetings and say that it couldn't have happened.
Even in the match against AC Milan, we had about 20 clips talking about what I could have done better and the good parts. It's really nice to have a manager who will help me, guide me and teach me how to be a better player" - Alexander Arnold said.
In addition, the Liverpool defender did not forget his future commitment before the rumor of moving to Real Madrid in January: "I want to be a Liverpool player this season, at least that way. I have been at the club for 20 years, I have signed 4 or 5 new contracts and none of them have been made public. And this time is no exception."
That is a great respect that Alexander Arnold has for Liverpool. In addition, this player also did not hide his ambition to become the captain of the "Red Brigade" in the near future. This is a prospect that every Kop fan wants to see, but only happens if Alexander Arnold and Liverpool find a common voice in the extension.
