Yahoo Sports 'Beckham-esque' - Alexander-Arnold praised for 'reaction' to criticism
Liverpool manager Arne Slot praised Trent Alexander-Arnold for brushing off criticism over the past week with an influential display in Saturday's 4-0 FA Cup victory over Accrington Stanley.
The England full-back, who captained the Reds against the League Two outfit, played a swift pass into Darwin Nunez in the build-up to Liverpool's opener, before doubling their advantage with a thumping strike into the top corner.
The 26-year-old was heavily criticised following last Sunday's 2-2 Premier League draw at home to Manchester United, who scored both their goals down his right-hand side.
It followed speculation about Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool future as he is also out of contract in the summer, with Real Madrid reportedly interested in signing him this month, or on a free transfer.
"I could talk for hours about that goal," said Slot on Alexander-Arnold's 20-yard effort. "The biggest compliment Trent could get was the reaction of everyone [on Saturday] after the Manchester United game.
"Every player around the world, maybe except for a few, has a bad game and it is completely normal. But the moment Trent has one, everyone has an opinion on it.
"Maybe that is because of the contract situation. If that wasn't there, I don't know if people would have reacted in the same way."
Former Premier League striker Glenn Murray, speaking to Final Score, described Alexander-Arnold's strike on the stroke of half-time as "Beckham-esque", referring to similar goals from ex-England captain David Beckham.
"He makes it look so effortless," said Murray. "His technique is sublime, the way he strikes the ball."
Alexander-Arnold has been a main target for Beckham's former club Real Madrid, the current La Liga and European champions, but ex-England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis said she wouldn't be surprised if other teams express an interest.
"Real Madrid are one of his suitors, but I think he could go pretty much anywhere he wanted, should he wish to," she added.
Alexander-Arnold has started 23 of Liverpool's 30 matches in all competitions this season, registering five assists and scoring twice in his last four appearances.
"The Scouser in our team" rang out from the Kop in the aftermath of his sensational first-half effort, and he was given a warm ovation by the home fans as he made way for Tyler Morton on the hour mark.
"I think it was good for him to play in our own stadium and feel the reception of the fans again," continued Slot, who brought Alexander-Arnold off the bench in Wednesday's Carabao Cup defeat at Tottenham. "It was special again today and that can only help him, and us.
"[His performance] against United was clear for me, for you, the fans and the analysts who saw the game, but many of them were quite hard on him."
Accrington boss John Doolan, a former coach in Liverpool's academy who managed Alexander-Arnold as a six-year-old, was no less complimentary about the full-back's goal – which came after a promising response by the League Two outfit to Diogo Jota's opener.
"We got a reaction and then another world-class player pops up in Trent Alexander-Arnold, who puts one in the top corner," he said. "You just have to take your medicine."
