Liverpool manager Arne Slott refused to blame Trent Alexander-Arnold for his side's recent flurry of goals.
The creative right-back has often had his defensive acuity questioned throughout his career and has endured a particularly difficult outing in Liverpool draw 2-2 with Manchester United last Sunday. This was Alexander-Arnold's first appearance since Real Madrid submitted their opening bid to buy the academy graduate this month.
The slot was quick to protect his player on that occasion, and doubled down on his insistence that Liverpool's porous form is not Alexander-Arnold's burden. The Reds conceded five goals in the first 12 games of the season (an average of 0.4 per game) but have conceded 20 in the following 17 games (1.2 per game).
“I see a certain pattern in the goals we're conceding, but I don't see the pattern when it comes to Trent,” Slot told the assembled media earlier. Liverpool's FA Cup match with Accrington Stanley on Saturday. “Not at all.”
“Trent had a tough game for us and maybe a few that were okay. Mostly, he's had great games when he's played for us this season,” noted the Dutch coach.
“I know there's a lot of focus on him at the moment but I'd also like to point out how well he did when he came on in the last half hour (against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday) and how the fans reacted to him, that was what pleased me even more during that match.
Alexander-Arnold had fallen to the bench for Liverpool's trip to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Wednesday evening in place of Conor Bradley. The English representative was introduced to the last half hour of the Carabao Cup semi-final and hit a terrific volley past debutant goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, which Radu Dragusin had to desperately clear off the goal line.
Liverpool have rejected initial offers from Real Madrid and appear intent on keeping Alexander-Arnold at Anfield until at least the end of the season – which is when his contract will expire.