The Arne Slot era has commenced just swimmingly at Liverpool, who have won their first two matches of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign in pretty compelling fashion.
The transition from the legendary Jurgen Klopp reign to this new era looks to be going on without any major problems, but there are always minor issues some fans love nitpicking about.
One thing about Slot that has come under some criticism is his tendency to substitute defenders.
In their win over Ipswich Town in the opening game of the new campaign, the Dutchman decided to take off Jarell Quansah at half-time. The Englishman was clearly bemused by the decision and didn’t even celebrate his side’s goals that passionately.
Slot explained that he had to take off Quansah because he lost too many duels and made his side vulnerable at the back.
Fast-forward a week to their 2-0 win over Brentford at Anfield and Quansah didn’t get a starting role this time around. But it’s Trent Alexander-Arnold whose reaction to a surprise substitution in the 72nd minute to go viral on social media.
Trent had a pretty solid game, creating a number of chances and looking sharp on the right. Despite his impressive outing, he was taken off for young right-back Conor Bradley.
The 25-year-old England international did not seem pleased with the move at all and Slot could be seen sharing an exchange with him at the dugout, seemingly explaining his decision.
But that didn’t seem to glow up Alexander-Arnold at all.
At the end of the match, he emerged from the substitutes bench a sulking figure with no happiness in his demeanor even after his buddy Diogo Jota tried cheering him up.
Just like Quansah, Trent’s reaction has turned out to be a hot topic on social media.
There is a bit of divisiveness among fans about whether the Englishman was right to react that to being taken off by Slot. The majority of supporters, however, seem to be firmly on the side of the Liverpool gaffer in this regard.
But the Liverpool right-back has also earned criticism for his actions.
A few fans believe that he might be acting like this to make his seem that he’s been treated badly at Liverpool as an excuse to leave for Real Madrid in 2025 when his contract expires.
The reality, however, is that Trent was only momentarily annoyed with the substitution and there are no problems between him and the gaffer.
Slot also explained the reason for Alexander-Arnold’s substitution and cleared up doubts over their relationship after the Brentford win, stating:
He didn’t look that happy after being taken off. I understand. Every player wants to play 90 minutes. But I don’t think the players that were on the bench from the start were really happy with the choice I made. But Trent came back from the national team where in the beginning of the tournament he played quite a lot, then he didn’t. Had a few weeks off, came back, this is only his third game.
We have to take care of him because we need him for the whole season and not just the first two games. But what is good for me is that I have a very good backup as well with Conor. So we are taking care of Trent. But he played a good game.