Trent Alexander-Arnold: If an attacker goes past me I want Slot to be my harshest critic

Trent Alexander-Arnold has encouraged Arne Slot to become his harshest critic to turn him into one of the most feared defenders in Europe.

Liverpool’s vice-captain celebrated a century of goal involvements with another assist in his side’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth, but he wants to rid himself of the reputation of being susceptible at the back. The 25-year-old says he is trusting his new coach to show no mercy if he falls short of expectations, having become fed-up with having a reputation for being world class at one end of the pitch but vulnerable at the other.

“I think that perception was perhaps harsh if I am honest,” said Alexander-Arnold.

“It was a big perception and it was hard to kind of shrug off with just one good defensive game. But when you put a lot together, we have had four out of five clean sheets. That is exceptional from a backline. Defences win championships, that is the old saying, and being part of that defence means I have responsibilities to make sure my winger doesn’t get a sniff in the game.

“I lay targets for every game which is how many times am I dribbled past, how many times does he get a cross, how many times a shot. I look back on it and if I am disappointed then I am disappointed and if I am happy, I am happy.”

In what will be seen as encouraging in terms of maintaining a long-term relationship between Alexander-Arnold and Slot, the right back is craving straight-talking.

“Yes, for sure. We kind of talked about targets and aims and I said to him that I would like to be the defender that no one wants to come up against in Europe,” said Alexander-Arnold.

“We agreed that he will be harsh on me. 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 in the Milan game we had about 20 clips going through what I could have done better and the good parts as well.

“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.”

On his landmark of a century of assists or goals, he added: “I think I am capable of many, many more if I am honest. The clean sheet (against Bournemouth) was a big one as well. For now I am completely focused on this season and how many goals, assists and clean sheets I can get and hopefully do enough to help us win the league.”

Speaking to reporters immediately after Saturday’s win, Alexander-Arnold was inevitably quizzed on his contract situation. He will be a free agent at the end of the season unless he signs a new deal.

“Look, I have been at the club 20-years now. I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public. And this one won’t be either,” said Alexander-Arnold.

As a boyhood Liverpool fan, he says his ambitions have not changed since he joined the club academy as he has a long-term desire to become captain and add top honours to an already glittering CV.

“I have always said I want to captain the club, that is an aim of mine and a goal of mine, whether that happens is out of my hands,” he said. “The most important thing is always trophies, if I am honest. I want to win trophies, I am a player who is highly motivated by trophies and winning things and being elite. So that is probably the main factor of anything, if you have a personality that is elite, who wants to win and will do anything to win then that is what drives me.

“We were close to the title last season and we got a cup. The Quad was on for a while I suppose, the signs were there. This season we are looking really good, it is still early days, but we need a lot of consistency and beat a lot of teams over the course of this season. Then you have the other cups, the Champions League and everything that comes around it. It will be difficult but we are looking to win as many trophies as we can.”