Trent Alexander-Arnold has opened up on an agreement made between himself and Liverpool head coach Arne Slot for the Dutch manager to be harsh on the right-back, Soccernet.football reports.
Alexander-Arnold appeared to be disillusioned with life under the new Liverpool boss as the defender was left visibly frustrated by Slot’s decision to bring him off during the Red’s 2-0 victory against Brentford in their second game of the season at Anfield.
Slot’s body language and eventual decision to substitute the Englishman in the second-half of Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Manchester United in the following game, led Red Devils’ legend Paul Scholes to believe that the Dutchman didn’t like the 25-year-old.
However, Alexander-Arnold has spoken highly of his experience working under Slot, highlighting their conversations about improving his performance this season, particularly in defense.
Despite showing defensive improvements, the right-back hasn’t neglected his offensive duties. He boasts the highest number of chances created by a Liverpool player (13) and the most successful crosses (8) so far.
Alexander-Arnold believes he is already reaping the benefits of working with Slot, even though the Dutch manager is still early in his tenure.
“I said to him [Slot] that I would like to be the defender that no one wants to come up against in Europe. We agreed that he will be harsh on me,” Alexander-Arnold said, as per beIN SPORTS.
“If any time an attacker gets by me and gets past me, he will call it out in meetings, and individual meetings, and say this cannot happen.
“We go through every game together and he highlights where he wants me to improve.
“Even after the Milan game, we had about 20 clips going through what I could have done better and the good parts as well.”
He added: “It is really refreshing to have a manager who will help and guide and teach me how to be better as a player.
“I am someone who wants to learn, someone who wants to be the best and someone who strives to be the best ever.”