Liverpool returned to Premier League action with a tight 2-2 home draw to old rivals Manchester United.
The EPL leaders missed the chance to further extend their lead at the top of the rankings as Amad Diallo’s late goal sealed a scrappy point for Ruben Amorim.
Arne Slot’s team were far from their best at Anfield, as Amorim’s tactical plan upset their rhythm, and the Red Devils exposed issues in the hosts defence.
Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund both exploited space behind Trent Alexander-Arnold in the first-half with the latter superbly kept out by Alisson.
Both of United’s goals came from play down Liverpool’s right-side, as Lisandro Martinez crashed home the opener, and Amad Diallo sealed a draw in the closing stages.
Alexander-Arnold’s defensive performance came in for sharp criticism with Slot opting to replace him with Conor Bradley in the 86th minute.
Ahead of the game, former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher indicated he expected a strong performance from the England international, amid reports the club are prepared to match Real Madrid’s contract offer.
The 26-year-old remains on the radar in Madrid, with the La Liga champions rumoured to have seen a January offer rejected, as talks over an extension on Merseyside continue.
Roy Keane claimed Alexander-Arnold’s defensive performance would not look out of place at Tranmere Rovers – never mind Real Madrid – and Carragher admitted the speculation must be impacting Liverpool’s right-back.
“I thought he was really poor. The game couldn’t have gone much worse for him, there was always going to be focus on him,” as per Sky Sports.
“I expected him to put in a performance, where he dominates the game from right-back. He’s a playmaker. I felt Man United’s system would play into his hands, there’d be space to get his head up and put crosses in.
“I don’t think the game could’ve gone much worse for him…”
Daniel Sturridge and @Carra23 talk about Trent Alexander-Arnold and the rumours surrounding his future at Liverpool ? pic.twitter.com/KrPhPV6kLE
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
“He was poor defensively, but there was nothing going forward on the ball.
“Only he knows if the talk affected him, but the fact he was so poor in the first game after Real Madrid put a bid in, tells me it must have affected him.”
Carragher also claimed Slot should have acted quicker to substitute Alexander-Arnold but the Dutch coach insisted post-game the transfer talk was not a factor in a meagre showing.
? Trent Alexander-Arnold didn’t win a single duel for #LFC during the 86 minutes he was on the pitch vs Man United.
It took Conor Bradley less than a minute to win his first duel after coming on to replace him.
Lively cameo from him. Great to see him back. pic.twitter.com/wcPaMfMyOC
— Bence Bocsák (@BenBocsak) January 5, 2025
Up next for Liverpool is an EFL Cup semifinal first leg on January 8 at Tottenham and Bradley could start in place of of Alexander-Arnold.
