Trent Alexander-Arnold has yet to complete a full 90 minutes for Liverpool this season, despite playing every minute of England’s recent international matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, has shed light on why the right-back has been substituted in all of the club’s games thus far, stirring speculation among fans and pundits alike.
Slot’s decision to bring Alexander-Arnold off during Liverpool’s second match against Brentford drew attention, particularly when the 25-year-old appeared visibly frustrated by the change.
However, the situation seemed more amicable when Alexander-Arnold was subbed off in the Reds’ victory over Manchester United.
Despite his clear importance to the team, the vice-captain has yet to see out an entire game this season for his club.
Nevertheless, Alexander-Arnold played a full 90 minutes for England over the international break, delivering stellar performances and winning Man of the Match in both fixtures.
Slot has acknowledged that the defender is capable of lasting a full match but emphasised the importance of squad management.
Slot’s tactical choices reflect squad management
Arne Slot. Credit: Imago Images
Arne Slot admitted that he could have played Alexander-Arnold for a full 90 minutes against Brentford or Manchester United but noted that his decision was influenced by the overall squad dynamics.
With Conor Bradley serving as a capable backup, Slot is comfortable rotating his players to manage fatigue and maintain squad balance throughout the season.
“He [Alexander-Arnold] proved he could do 90 minutes, but maybe he could have done it before that as well,” Slot explained. “In the Ipswich game, I saw that he became a bit tired towards the end, but he played two games afterwards so he is completely ready to play 90.”
Slot stressed the importance of preparing the entire squad for the season, particularly given the gruelling nature of upcoming fixtures.
He noted that giving players like Bradley opportunities to play was crucial to maintaining fitness across the squad.
This approach applies not only to Alexander-Arnold but to other key players as well, ensuring the team remains competitive across all competitions.
Much Ado About Nothing
The media has, unsurprisingly, blown this situation out of proportion, with former players like Paul Scholes adding fuel to the fire.
Speaking on the The Overlap podcast, Scholes speculated about Slot’s opinion of Alexander-Arnold, saying: “Do you think Slot likes him? Every time he gave the ball away, Slot was shaking his head… I thought, ‘I’m not sure he likes him.’”
However, these comments are clearly an overreaction.
Slot’s handling of Alexander-Arnold’s playing time appears to be purely tactical, focusing on squad rotation rather than any personal issues with the player.
With Alexander-Arnold performing well for both club and country, it seems the situation has been sensationalised, and Liverpool fans can expect to see their star right-back continue to play a key role as the season progresses.
